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ScienceQuiet 9d · day 10

Researchers identify molecular pathway linking cold exposure to extended lifespan

A Nature study reveals how mild cold triggers production of BH2, a metabolite that extends life in animals—and suggests the benefits might be achievable without lowering body temperature.

newest coverage 8d agosummary written 8d ago10 pieces18 likes & upvotes2 comments MastodonNewswiresGoogle NewsHacker News

What to know

  • Researchers identified a molecular pathway (BH2) through which cold temperatures extend lifespan in animals, solving a century-old question about how cold confers longevity benefits.
  • The pathway is actively regulated by the body, not a passive thermodynamic effect—muscle tissue produces BH2 which travels to other tissues to maintain protein health.
  • Genetically boosting the pathway extended lifespan even at normal or warm temperatures, suggesting therapeutic applications without requiring cold exposure.
  • The pathway also suppressed protein aggregation in a Huntington's disease model, pointing to potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

“BH2 then goes to other parts of the body, where it helps to maintain protein homeostasis and contributes to tissue health during aging.”

David Vilchez, Molecular biologist, University of Cologne · ScienceAlert ↗ · Oct 29

David Vilchez Molecular biologist, University of CologneUniversity of Cologne Research institution

Researchers identify molecular pathway linking cold exposure to extended lifespan
sciencealert.com

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 8 pieces in 3h at Oct 29, 8 PM; 10 pieces over 10 days (7 articles · 3 posts) Oct 29, 8 PM — 8 pieces · 7 articles · 1 post — Google News 6, Mastodon 1, Newswires 1Oct 29, 11 PM — quietOct 30, 2 AM — quietOct 30, 5 AM — quietOct 30, 8 AM — quietOct 30, 11 AM — quietOct 30, 2 PM — 2 pieces · 2 posts — Hacker News 1, Mastodon 1Oct 30, 5 PM — quietOct 30, 8 PM — quietOct 30, 11 PM — quietOct 31, 2 AM — quietOct 31, 5 AM — quietOct 31, 8 AM — quietOct 31, 11 AM — quietOct 31, 2 PM — quietOct 31, 5 PM — quietOct 31, 8 PM — quietOct 31, 11 PM — quietNov 1, 1 AM — quietNov 1, 4 AM — quietNov 1, 7 AM — quietNov 1, 10 AM — quietNov 1, 1 PM — quietNov 1, 4 PM — quietNov 1, 7 PM — quietNov 1, 10 PM — quietNov 2, 1 AM — quietNov 2, 4 AM — quietNov 2, 7 AM — quietNov 2, 10 AM — quietNov 2, 1 PM — quietNov 2, 4 PM — quietNov 2, 7 PM — quietNov 2, 10 PM — quietNov 3, 1 AM — quietNov 3, 4 AM — quietNov 3, 7 AM — quietNov 3, 10 AM — quietNov 3, 1 PM — quietNov 3, 4 PM — quietNov 3, 7 PM — quietNov 3, 10 PM — quietNov 4, 1 AM — quietNov 4, 4 AM — quietNov 4, 7 AM — quietNov 4, 10 AM — quietNov 4, 1 PM — quietNov 4, 4 PM — quietNov 4, 7 PM — quietNov 4, 10 PM — quietNov 5, 1 AM — quietNov 5, 4 AM — quietNov 5, 7 AM — quietNov 5, 10 AM — quietNov 5, 1 PM — quietNov 5, 4 PM — quietNov 5, 7 PM — quietNov 5, 10 PM — quietNov 6, 1 AM — quietNov 6, 4 AM — quietNov 6, 7 AM — quietNov 6, 10 AM — quietNov 6, 1 PM — quietNov 6, 4 PM — quietNov 6, 7 PM — quietNov 6, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quietToday, 7 AM — quiet 12
Oct 30Oct 31Nov 1Nov 2Nov 3Nov 4Nov 5Nov 6yesterdaynow · 9:06 AM ET
  1. 2

    Pathway shows potential for treating protein-folding diseases

    The identified BH2 pathway also boosted healthy protein homeostasis in a worm model of Huntington's disease, suppressing harmful protein aggregation and suggesting that targeting muscle tissue could provide organism-wide protection.

    “These findings suggest that specifically targeting a single tissue, such as muscle, could provide organism-wide protection.”
    — David Vilchez
  2. background

    Genetic enhancement of CAT-4 extends lifespan without cold exposure — In separate experiments, the research team found that artificially boosting CAT-4 levels in worm muscles extended lifespan even at normal or warmer temperatures, indicating that the benefits of cold may be reproducible without lowering body temperature.

  3. 1

    Nature study identifies BH2 pathway linking cold to longevity

    Researchers from the University of Cologne published findings in Nature showing that moderately cold temperatures (15°C/59°F) trigger production of an enzyme called CAT-4 in muscle tissue, which stimulates production of the metabolite BH2. BH2 is then transported to other tissues where it supports protein homeostasis and tissue health.

    “We are excited to show that mildly cold temperatures trigger significant production of a specific metabolite, BH2, which is synthesized, stored, and subsequently released by muscle tissue.”
    — David Vilchez
    1. 3 outlets How cold extends worms’ lifespan: the BH2 pathway

      first by UA.NEWS, 9d ago · also ScienceAlert, Yahoo

      1 more headline