Protein homeostasis (proteostasis) refers to the coordinated regulation of protein synthesis, folding, trafficking, and degradation. In many tissues, the capacity of proteostasis networks, including molecular chaperones, the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and autophagy-lysosomal pathways, declines with age, leading to increased accumulation of misfolded and aggregated proteins. This age-associated disruption of proteostasis has been observed in normal aging and is strongly linked to the development and progression of age-related disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases. Maintaining or assessing proteostasis, including autophagy-mediated clearance of aberrant proteins, is therefore a key focus in aging research and therapeutic development.
Fig. 1 Proteasome activity and autophagy decline with aging, and their enhancement is associated with improved longevity and delayed onset of age-related diseases. (Vilchez D, et al. 2014)
CD BioSciences specializes in analyzing the role of autophagy in protein homeostasis during aging. We offer a range of analysis services and technical support to help our clients investigate the mechanisms underlying autophagy regulation and its impact on protein quality control.
How Do We Analyze the Role of Autophagy in Protein Homeostasis During Aging?
Analysis of aggrephagy during aging
Our company offers services to evaluate selective autophagic clearance of protein aggregates (aggrephagy) in aging-related cellular or tissue models. We help clients quantify aggregate burden, size distribution, and subcellular localization using biochemical fractionation, immunoblotting of aggregate-prone proteins, filter trap assays, and fluorescence or confocal microscopy. Additionally, we assess aggrephagy activity by monitoring autophagy markers (e.g., LC3, p62) in aggregate accumulation and clearance. Our data provide quantitative readouts of aggregate turnover and selective autophagic degradation, supporting studies of proteostasis decline in aging and age-associated protein aggregation disorders.
Expression profiling of longevity-associated proteostasis genes
We provide services to quantify the expression of longevity-associated proteostasis genes in aging cell and tissue models. Using qPCR, RNA sequencing, and targeted gene expression panels, we measure transcript levels of key genes involved in autophagy and protein quality control pathways. Target genes available for assessment include, but are not limited to, ATG family members, BECN1, HSP27 (HSPB1), and WWP1.
Autophagy marker analysis
We offer autophagy marker analysis to monitor autophagy levels and substrate turnover. We focus on widely used autophagy markers that reflect distinct stages of the autophagic process, including LC3 (microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B light chain 3), a lipidated form associated with autophagosome membranes. By quantifying these markers, we help clients determine changes in autophagy activity and assess its impact on protein degradation pathways. Our analysis services provide reliable data to understand the dynamics of autophagy during aging.
Identification of autophagy substrates
We provide comprehensive services to identify specific substrates involved in the autophagy pathway. Using advanced proteomic techniques, we can analyze changes in substrates during aging and assess how alterations in autophagy impact the clearance of specific proteins. Our services are invaluable for elucidating the intricate interplay between autophagy and protein quality control during aging.
Technical Support for Analyzing the Role of Autophagy in Protein Homeostasis During Aging
We offer technical support to researchers and organizations interested in studying the role of autophagy in protein homeostasis during aging. Our team of highly skilled scientists and experts is available to assist you in clarifying service scope, sample requirements, experimental parameters, and data deliverables to ensure smooth project execution. Our team communicates with clients during the pre-study and post-study phases to address methodological questions related to the contracted assays and to explain the format and content of the experimental reports.
The role of autophagy in regulating protein turnover and quality control during aging has garnered significant scientific interest. At CD BioSciences, we are dedicated to providing services to help clients unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying the role of autophagy in protein homeostasis during aging. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us or make an online inquiry.
References
- Vilchez D, et al. The role of protein clearance mechanisms in organismal ageing and age-related diseases. Nat Commun. 2014, 5: 5659.
- Chen XQ, et al. Protein homeostasis in aging and cancer. Protein homeostasis in aging and cancer, 2023, 11: 1143532.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
