Researcher’s Voice #6 Prof. Yasuhiko Yamamoto
Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences

Research of glycation reaction interprets aging and affection

Prof. Yasuhiko Yamamoto
Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences
Speciality: Medical science, Medical biochemistry
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Vascular Biology

Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of aging

Aging is recognized as a chronic accumulation of chemical modifications to biomolecules in the body; it is like ‘rusting’ or ‘corrosion’ in vivo. The glycation reaction is finally leading to the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) through the non-enzymatic addition of glucose, the essential energy source for biological activities, to other biomolecules such as proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. This reaction is representative of the modification reactions causing aging. Glycation reactions take place inevitably throughout life. Investigating the mechanisms of glycation reactions, the cause of age-related diseases will lead to develop strategies against aging. Elucidation of the functions and roles of ‘RAGE,’ the receptor for AGEs, will also contribute. 

Domestic and international interdisciplinary research network for ‘perennial youth and long life’: a big challenge

Anti-aging is pressing issues in modern society due to progressive aging world-wide. Glycation research opens an opportunity for approaching the eternal theme of ‘perennial youth and long life’ but needs multidisciplinary cooperation to advance. The combination of various skills and methods from diverse research fields and the construction of domestic and international research networks are both prerequisites for promoting integrated research and disseminating the findings throughout the world. Our recent article (Communications Biology, 2019) was a result of interdisciplinary research, showing that RAGE, which is evolutionally identified only in mammals, plays important roles in the action of the “love hormone”, oxytocin, that is important in social behaviors.

Promotion of research for solving social problems with both aging and affection

We will advance research into ‘perennial youth and long life’ that should bring about the elongation of a healthy lifespan based on the elucidation of the mechanisms of glycation reactions and the development of targeted drugs and therapeutics. In addition, through RAGE research we will clarify the molecular mechanisms that govern oxytocin functions. We thus hope to contribute to the solution of social problems such as child neglect and abuse, which are becoming more serious in the era of declining birthrates. 

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