New research precisely explores the effects of rapamycin, the surprising substance that takes its name from the place (Easter Island, better known as Rapa Nui) where it was discovered in 1972.
In the 40 years that separate us from its discovery, rapamycin, isolated from soil microorganisms, has been used as an immunosuppressant drug to support transplants and coronary implants.
Il sirolimus, this the name of the drug, is (source the description of rapamycin wikipedia) a drugimmunosuppressant used today to prevent the rejection in organ transplants.
Early trials have shown other surprising capabilities of rapamycin against cancer, cognitive degradation and aging.
A special character
The substance is different from other anti-aging drugs because it has an operating mechanism that affects a protein called mTOR, which regulates cell growth, and is easily summarized: when rapamycin reaches mTOR, it prevents cell growth.
This is why its effects on cancer can be positive: uncontrolled growth of cancer cells is a major part of the lethality of this disease. Inhibition of mTOR also affects autophagy, the process in which lysosomes (the organelles that act as a cell's digestive system) cleanse themselves of impurities, transforming them into amino acids and sugars that the cell can reuse.
The function of lysosomes is to keep cells healthy by breaking up the poor material inside them
Xiaoli Zhang, co-author of the study, cellular and molecular development biology department at the University of Michigan.
How rapamycin works
Researchers have long wondered what the channel through which rapamycin works: this study found it. It is called TRPML1, is located on the lysosome membrane and is a channel of calcium ions.
Rapamycin induces autophagy
Autophagy selects the quality parts of a cell, gets rid of the poor ones and uses them as "fuel" to function better: therefore it simultaneously purifies, regenerates and improves the cell. It is a trend opposite to that involving diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, in which cellular degeneration proliferates: the activity of the lysosome is essential to control it.
“It's simple: if the TRPML1 channel is not active there is neurological degeneration,” says Haoxing Xu, another member of the research team. “If you stimulate the TRPML1 channel you fight degeneration”.
Using advanced research techniques, the team found that rapamycin stimulates this cellular channel and induces autophagy: it is as if rapamycin and TRPML1 were driver and car in a grand prix.
“TRPML1 may contribute significantly to the neuroprotective and anti-aging activity of rapamycin,” says Chen. "This discovery will lead to much more precise and effective drugs against cancer and neurodegenerative diseases".
EDIT 26/11/2019: Starting with a topical formulation of rapamycin cream, free of side effects. Topical rapamycin delays skin aging: already successfully tested on humans.
Here is the research on PLOS Biology.
Source: University of Michigan
