While past decades have seen immense exploration of DNA in regard to skin aging and health, internationally acclaimed geneticist, molecular biologist and researcher Professor Miroslav Radman has made a breakthrough discovery: it is our proteins that play a crucial role in the strength and vitality of skin cells.
Unlocking the Secret to Cell Longevity
What is the Proteome?
The Key to Cell Longevity
While past decades have seen immense exploration of DNA in regard to skin aging and health, internationally acclaimed geneticist, molecular biologist and researcher Professor Miroslav Radman has made a breakthrough discovery: it is our proteins that play a crucial role in the strength and vitality of skin cells.
Cell longevity does not depend on the integrity of their DNA, but on the resilience of their proteome. The proteome refers to all the proteins of a cell or an organism. It is the body’s second-largest component after water—estimated at more than 20%—and is a genuinely vital asset, with proteins providing many key functions in all organs. Professor Radman determined that proteome damage is the main cause of skin aging.
What is the Difference Between the Proteome and the Genome?
Genes contain constant biological information and are characterized by their stability. They don’t express everything all the time; instead they show “what could happen,” or our DNA’s potential.
The proteins contained in the proteome are involved in all the cell’s vital functions, they provide structure, produce energy and allow for communication and reproduction. The proteome constantly changes in response to various factors or oxidative stresses, expressing genes, and makes up “what really happens.” If the proteome isn’t protected, cells, and therefore the skin, begin to age.
Why Protect the Proteome?
Irreversible proteome damage directly correlates to visible consequences in the skin. With little to no recourse in repairing proteins, protecting the proteome and these proteins is imperative to ensure skin health and cell longevity.
An altered proteome is most commonly the result of carbonylation, irreversible oxidation that prevents proteins from functioning. This damage is seen in all layers of the skin: in the outermost top layer, a damaged proteome decreases the water retention capacity, affecting skin hydration and radiance. In the epidermis, keratin-sensitive proteins are prime targets for this type of oxidation, disrupting light transmission, altering radiance and evenness in skin tone. In the deeper dermis, carbonylation alters collagen and elastin fibers, resulting in premature skin aging, loss of density, firmness and elasticity.
While traditional antioxidants do offer some protection in the skin, they do not target proteins specifically. However, for optimum proteome protection, two modes of action are necessary: