A Need for Proteomics: Untangling the Relationship between Protein Turnover, Aging, and Longevity

Mass Spectrometry-based protein turnover studies have shed light on the remarkable relationship between protein turnover and longevity. Here, we discuss the potential implications of the strong correlation between protein longevity (longer soluble protein half-lives) and longer mammalian lifespan, and conversely, the accumulation old insoluble proteins with age. We propose several strategies that can be employed in future studies to address the interesting questions raised by these observations-which protein half-life best correlate with longevity? Is protein half- live a biomarker for interventions that extend lifespan? How do post-translational modifications affect protein turnover?