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Regulation of Aging and Longevity by Ion Channels and Transporters

Kartik Venkatachalam1,2

  • 1Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center (UTHealth-Houston), Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Cells
|April 12, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Targeting ion channels and transporters offers a novel therapeutic strategy to combat aging. Pharmacological manipulation of these proteins could help extend human healthspan by addressing undruggable aging mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Aging is characterized by physiological decline, but translating mechanistic insights into healthspan extension remains challenging.
  • Many proteins involved in aging are considered undruggable, limiting therapeutic interventions.
  • Ion channels and transporters represent a druggable target class with potential for anti-aging strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the established roles of ion channels and transporters in regulating aging and longevity.
  • To explore how these proteins influence key cellular processes implicated in aging.
  • To identify emergent themes and prompt further research into targeting ion channels and transporters for healthspan extension.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on ion channels, transporters, and aging.
  • Analysis of the influence of ion transport on cellular functions related to aging.
  • Synthesis of information on pharmacological targeting of ion channels and transporters.

Main Results:

  • Ion channels and transporters regulate aging through effects on membrane excitability and calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis.
  • These proteins are critical for mitochondrial and endolysosomal function, processes central to aging.
  • Their roles in sensory transduction also impact organismal aging trajectories.

Conclusions:

  • Ion channels and transporters are crucial regulators of aging and longevity.
  • Pharmacological targeting of these proteins presents a promising avenue for developing novel anti-aging therapeutics.
  • Further investigation is warranted to fully leverage these targets for extending human healthspan.
Keywords:
ERagingcalciumion channelslifespanlongevitylysosomes

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