New Research Links metabolism, Gut Health, and Aging Through TOR Pathway
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have discovered a key connection between the TOR pathway – a central regulator of growth and aging – and metabolic processes involving a naturally occurring compound called agmatine. Thier findings, published in Communications Biology, suggest that diet and the gut microbiome may substantially influence lifespan.
The study focused on rapalink-1, a next-generation inhibitor of the TOR pathway, and its effects on fission yeast. Researchers found that rapalink-1 extended yeast lifespan while slowing growth, impacting the growth-promoting TORC1 component.
Unexpectedly, the research also revealed a crucial role for enzymes called agmatinases, which convert agmatine into polyamines. These enzymes participate in a “metabolic feedback loop” that regulates TOR activity. Disrupting agmatinase activity led to faster growth but premature aging, demonstrating a trade-off between growth rate and longevity.
interestingly, supplementing with agmatine or a related compound, putrescine, improved longevity and growth under certain conditions. Dr.Charalampos Rallis explains, “By showing that agmatinases are essential for healthy aging, we’ve uncovered a new layer of metabolic control over TOR – one that may be conserved in humans.” As agmatine is produced through diet and by gut microbes, this research offers a potential explanation for how nutrition and the microbiome impact the aging process.
However, researchers caution against self-supplementation with agmatine. Dr. Rallis emphasizes, “we should be cautious about consuming agmatine for growth or longevity purposes. Our data suggest benefits are only seen when specific metabolic pathways are functioning correctly,and agmatine can even contribute to certain diseases.”
This research highlights the complex interplay between TOR signaling, metabolism, and longevity, and could pave the way for future strategies combining TOR-targeting drugs with dietary or microbiome-based interventions to promote healthy aging and combat age-related diseases like cancer and metabolic disorders.
