Humanin is a small, mitochondria-derived peptide (MDP) consisting of 24 amino acids. It was first identified as a secreted factor from a cDNA library derived from the brain of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and has since garnered considerable attention for its potential therapeutic properties.
Humanin exerts its effects through interactions with several receptors, most notably the formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1) and BAX, a pro-apoptotic protein. Through these interactions, Norway research has suggested Humanin can inhibit apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which is implicated in numerous diseases. Importantly, the anti-apoptotic activity of Humanin is highly specific to pathological or ‘bad’ apoptosis, making it an intriguing target for therapeutic intervention.
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