No SIR2!
The Speculist reported last May that longevity researchers are excited about the enzyme SIR2. This molecule appears to be involved in the regulation of gene expression that could help prevent cancer and damage associated with aging.
Now we learn that one of mankind's greatest biological enemies uses SIR2 against us.
...throughout its lifetime, P. falciparum [a form of Malaria] continually changes the version of a protein known as PfEMP1 that it deposits on the surface of infected cells. By the time the immune system learns to recognize the protein and starts making antibodies against it, the parasite has switched to another form of the protein, and the process starts over...
the researchers found that SIR2, another protein, seemed to determine which var gene was active and which were switched off...
Our bodies use SIR2 to our advantage is silencing gene expression, but Malaria uses the same enzyme to be a master of disguise.
This discovery may be an important step forward in the fight against malaria. By genetically engineering malaria that lacks SIR2 (a step that these scientists have already taken), it is believed that the human immune system can learn to recognize all potential forms that the disease might take.
This is an effective answer to those who would claim that longevity research is a waste of money. Who would have thought that research into the life span of yeast would contribute to our ability to battle malaria?
Malaria is an old but very deadly enemy. It still kills about 3 million people a year - second only to AIDS. It has been so deadly for so long that sickle cell anemia developed as a Faustian bargain - nature was giving up people with two copies of the sickle cell gene in exchange for malaria protection for people with one copy.
But the old predator has become prey.