HUMANIN

Description

Humanin Peptide
Humanin is a short natural peptide with suggested potential in cell metabolism and inflammation response.(3) Researchers have suggested that a mitochondrial genome called ‘16S ribosomal RNA gene’ encodes the Humanin peptide.(4) Researchers further posit that the peptide’s length may depend on the location of its synthesis. The peptide may contain 21 amino acids if synthesized inside the mitochondria, whereas it may contain 24 amino acids if synthesized outside the mitochondria but inside the cytosol.(5) Both of these peptides exhibit potential biological activity.
Mitochondria are considered the powerhouses of the cell, and are formed from the engulfment of individual prokaryotes. Eventually, the eukaryotes appear to engulf the prokaryotic (single-celled) organism, and the prokaryotes form an endosymbiotic relationship with the host cell and gradually develop into mitochondria.(1)
Mitochondria are considered to be responsible for several vital cellular activities, including energy production, regulation of apoptosis, hemostasis, and formation of heme proteins, among several other functions. All these functions appear to be regulated by mitochondria via their communications to the cell through several retrograde signals. These signals may be encoded by the nuclear genome present in the mitochondria, possibly due to its prokaryotic origin.(2)
A small peptide called Humanin is derived from this genome. Since this genome appears to play an important role, this peptide has been explored for its potential action in several biological functions.