Scientists at Queen Mary University of London have discovered how a new drug, Rapalink-1, extends lifespan at the cellular level. In their study, they tested the compound on Schizosaccharomyces pombe, or fission yeast โ a model organism often used in aging research. Rapalink-1 helped yeast cells live longer, matching the life-extending power of rapamycin, a well-known anti-aging compound.
Molecular analysis showed that Rapalink-1 boosts the production of enzymes that break down agmatine, a compound produced by gut bacteria. This discovery links gut microbial activity directly to the aging process. By influencing genes connected to aging, the breakdown of agmatine helps cells remain healthier for longer.
โBy showing that agmatinases โ the enzymes that degrade agmatine โ are essential for healthy aging, weโve uncovered a new layer of metabolic control over TOR,โ says Dr. Charalampos Rallis, a cellular biologist who led the research. โThis mechanism may even be conserved in humans.โ
Both Rapalink-1 and rapamycin target the Target of Rapamycin (TOR) pathway, a key regulator of cell growth and metabolism. The researchers found that Rapalink-1 specifically inhibits the TORC1 complex, slowing cell growth while extending lifespan.
โBy uncovering how TORC1 activity is tuned, the team aims to promote healthy aging and create new treatments for cancers where TOR plays key roles.โ
While the findings donโt mean a longevity pill is imminent, they offer valuable insight into how aging works. As people age, their risk of diseases such as Alzheimerโs, cancer, and arthritis rises. Drugs that influence pathways like TORC1 could eventually delay these age-related conditions.
Rapalink-1 is already undergoing tests for cancer treatment and improving transplant outcomes, suggesting it may benefit multiple fields beyond longevity research.
Despite the excitement, the scientists urge caution about taking agmatine supplements marketed for health benefits. โWe should be careful about using agmatine for growth or longevity,โ Rallis warns. โOur data show that agmatine supports growth only when certain arginine-related metabolic pathways remain intact.โ
The study, published in Communications Biology (2025), represents a major step toward understanding how diet, metabolism, and the microbiome interact to influence aging.
