OSER1, the Oxidative stress-responsive serine-rich protein 1, is an evolutionarily conserved FOXO-regulated gene. It plays a crucial role in oxidative stress response, cellular senescence, and reproduction. OSER1 can reduce oxidative stress, maintain mitochondrial functional integrity, and extend lifespan in multiple species, suggesting its overall importance in healthy aging processes [1].

Overexpression of OSER1 in silkworms, nematodes, and flies extends their lifespan, while its depletion shortens the lifespan. In flies, OSER1 overexpression increases resistance to oxidative stress, starvation, and heat shock, and OSER1-depleted flies are more vulnerable. In silkworms, OSER1 can scavenge hydrogen peroxide. In Caenorhabditis elegans, knockdown of OSER1 leads to increased ROS production, shorter lifespan, mitochondrial fragmentation, decreased ATP production, and altered mitochondrial gene transcription. Human studies show that polymorphic variants in OSER1 are associated with human longevity [1].

In conclusion, OSER1 is a key protein in modulating oxidative stress and lifespan across multiple species. The findings from in vivo studies in these genetic models highlight its significance in promoting healthy aging and suggest its potential as a target for further research in age-related diseases.

References:

1. Song, Jiangbo, Li, Zhiquan, Zhou, Lei, Rasmussen, Lene Juel, Dai, Fangyin. 2024. FOXO-regulated OSER1 reduces oxidative stress and extends lifespan in multiple species. In Nature communications, 15, 7144. doi:10.1038/s41467-024-51542-z. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39164296/