U.S. researchers at UC Merced have discovered an OTUD6 protein that can affect protein production in cells, with implications for lifespan and cancer cell formation. Studies on fruit flies have shown that mutations in OTUD6 can increase stress resistance and prolong life.  

Professor Fred Wolf of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology explains that this mechanism may be responsible for changes in protein translation in stress, cancer and aging. The researchers found that OTUD6 mutants lived twice as long, which may be related to lower protein production.  

The research team plans further studies to understand how cells alter the amount of OTUD6, which could lead to new ways to manipulate protein production. This discovery could open up new possibilities in cancer treatment and life extension.