U of A researchers develop drug that induces hibernation in non-hibernating animals

University of Alberta researchers have discovered a drug that unlocks hibernation in non-hibernating animals, opening new possibilities for organ transplantation and cardiac care.

The drug, named SNAP (Snail Activator of PHLPP1), was developed by replicating a natural hibernation molecule found in hibernating snails. SNAP allows researchers to put non-hibernating animal organs into a deep metabolic sleep, decreasing the dependency of cells on oxygen and nutrients and safely shielding tissues from ischemia and reperfusion.

"This is the first direct transfer of hibernation biology, that has remained enigmatic for decades, to non-hibernators," said Dr. Evangelos Michelakis. "It could improve the usability of offered organs and the lives of transplant patients and their loved ones."

The compound is described as a "first-in-class" specific activator of the widely conserved phosphatase PHLPP1, a universal cellular control centre. "SNAP decreases senescence in stressed cells," said co-author and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Jiyuan Piao. "This means that SNAP may also be beneficial in longevity medicine, in keeping with the fact that, during hibernation, animals exhibit slower aging rates."

Researchers are hopeful the breakthrough will have clinical implications ranging from preservation of organs offered for transplantation and heart attack care, to longevity medicine, or even inducing hibernation in astronauts for ultralong space travel. Next steps involve testing SNAP on donated transplant organs to determine whether it might benefit patients undergoing coronary interventions or bypass surgery, and advancing anti-aging research.