Role of protein malonylation in osteoarthritis development during aging

This project centers on the intersection of protein post-translational modification and musculoskeletal disease in the setting of aging and metabolic stress. The project title indicates a focused inquiry into protein malonylation—a biochemical modification—and its potential contribution to osteoarthritis pathogenesis as organisms age and as obesity-related factors are present. This work is positioned among other studies that probe cellular mechanisms of aging, metabolic responses, mitochondrial function, and proteostasis, underscoring the foundation’s commitment to mechanistic geroscience that may reveal drivers of age-associated disease. Within this funding and scientific landscape this work has potential to elucidate molecular modifications that may link metabolic state and age with tissue-specific degeneration. Osteoarthritis is a prevalent, age-associated condition with substantial public health impact, and investigations that clarify molecular drivers in the context of aging and obesity can inform future translational pathways.

This research project was one of nine recipients of the Hevolution Foundation Advancing Geroscience Efforts (HF-AGE) grants selected from a competitive pool of submissions that align with the foundation’s mission to accelerate research in healthspan science.