Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered how physical activity restores muscle repair in older adults by lowering levels of the DEAF1 gene. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explain why exercise helps aging muscles clear damaged proteins and maintain strength.
The study shows that DEAF1 levels rise with age because FOXO proteins decline, leading to overactive mTORC1 signaling. This imbalance causes damaged proteins to accumulate in muscle cells.
Exercise activates proteins that reduce DEAF1, restoring balance so muscles can repair themselves. Experiments in fruit flies and mice confirmed that lowering DEAF1 improves strength while raising it accelerates weakness.
Assistant Professor Tang Hong-Wen said exercise corrects the imbalance by lowering DEAF1 levels. First author Priscillia Choy Sze Mun noted that the process helps muscles clean up and reset.
Professor Patrick Tan added that targeting DEAF1 could extend exercise benefits to those unable to stay active, including patients recovering from illness or surgery.
