Could metabolism influence how quickly mutations accumulate in our cells? New research published in Cell provides evidence that it can.
Using high-fidelity DNA sequencing, Case CCC Population and Cancer Prevention Program member Jonathan Shoag, MD, and a team of researchers found that caloric restriction reduced the accumulation of somatic mutations across multiple tissues and cell types in mice, including mutations associated with aging. The findings establish a link between diet, metabolism and genomic integrity—a connection with potential implications for understanding and ultimately reducing cancer risk.
As a co-corresponding author, Shoag helped develop the experimental approach, design the experiments and analyze the data.
The researchers emphasize that the study does not show that caloric restriction prevents cancer. Instead, it provides a new model for investigating how metabolic pathways influence mutation accumulation—and whether those mechanisms might eventually be targeted to protect genomic integrity and reduce cancer risk.