Brain protein could hold key to healthier aging

Could the secret to a longer, healthier life be hidden inside the brain of a fruit fly? Researchers at National Taiwan University (NTU) think the answer is yes.

In a new study published in Autophagy, Prof. Chih-Chiang Chan and his team discovered that turning off a single protein in the brain—Rab27—can extend lifespan, protect neurons, and even reduce brain damage linked to Parkinson’s disease.

Cleaning up the brain’s waste

Rab27 typically helps cells package and release materials. But when the NTU team disabled this protein in a small group of fly brain cells, the cells’ natural waste-disposal system—known as autophagy—stayed active for longer.

This boosted the brain’s ability to clear away harmful proteins, helping neurons survive and slowing age-related decline.

The study also showed that Rab27 activity naturally rises in midlife. Knocking it down at this stage preserved neurons in regions of the fly brain comparable to the mammalian hippocampus and hypothalamus.

“By reducing Rab27 activity at midlife, we were able to sustain the brain’s ability to recycle waste,” said Prof. Chan, corresponding author of the study.

“What surprised us was how these changes in the brain sent beneficial signals to the rest of the body.”

Beyond the brain: Whole-body benefits

The benefits went beyond the brain. Flies with healthier neurons also showed improvements in other tissues, suggesting that protecting brain health can create ripple effects throughout the entire body.

In fruit fly models of Parkinson’s disease—where toxic clumps of alpha-synuclein damage neurons—removing Rab27 reduced these clumps, improved movement, and extended lifespan.

Why it matters for human health

Although the research was carried out in flies, the underlying biology is deeply conserved in humans. The findings suggest that carefully tuning autophagy—in the right cells, at the right time—could one day become a strategy to slow aging and protect against neurodegenerative diseases.

The NTU team identified Rab27 as a master regulator that coordinates both autophagy and protein synthesis through TOR signaling. This highlights a promising new direction for targeted therapies that may promote healthy aging in humans.

Still, the researchers caution that autophagy is a delicate balance: too little leads to toxic buildup, but too much can damage cells. The key lies in precision and timing, which makes this discovery especially important for guiding future treatments.