SINGAPORE, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Scientists from Singapore and Germany have made a novel discovery that might lead to ways of reversing the effects of ageing and wrinkled skin.

    A statement by Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) on Tuesday said that an international team of scientists led by Bruno Reversade from A*STAR's Institute of Medical Biology (IMB) discovered that mutations in a certain gene caused a rare genetic condition that results in premature skin ageing.

    The gene is known as PYCR1. Using bioinformatics tools, the research team analyzed rare DNA samples collected from affected patients across the world who, at a young age, displayed signs of premature ageing. They identified the PYCR1 gene on chromosome 17 of these patients to be defective and found specific mutations in the gene that led to conditions often seen in elderly people, such as loose skin, loss of bone density, hip dislocation and cataract.

    Furthermore, they determined that skin and bone were the two tissue most severely affected in patients.

    As skin and bone contain high levels of the PYCR1 protein, by developing therapies that could increase the activity of this protein, the process of ageing could possibly be reversed.

    This research project involved collaborations with over 15 hospitals and research centers in 13 countries.

    "Our findings confirm the significance of mitochondrial function in the ageing process. They also unexpectedly highlight the importance of metabolism as PYCR1 is important in the synthesis of proline, a common amino acid involved in metabolism. Age-defying and anti-wrinkling treatments for common disorders related to ageing may also benefit from sustaining proline metabolism." Said Reversade.