At its core, protein turnover represents the continuous renewal and maintenance of proteins. The essential building blocks of life. Turnover’s dynamic process is essential for preserving the body's stability, ensuring the removal of damaged or misfolded proteins while enabling the synthesis of vital amino acids for various biological functions. Protein turnover is not just a biological concept; it is key to addressing critical health challenges faced by astronauts and offers the potential to revolutionize human health on Earth and in space.
Studies done with members of OK-Mir’s crew in regards to protein synthesis changes and stress on enzyme and gut microbiota function push a concern of lifelong consequences for supremely healthy astronauts upon their return to earth. While in space protein nutrient synthesis decreases by 46%, due to the rapid pace of ubiquitination in a zero gravity atmosphere. This imbalance similarly relates to protein cycles present in bariatric individuals, in the way that ubiquitination is disproportionately rapid. In consequence, major bodily systems, such as the immune, inflammatory, endocrine, digestive, muscular and skeletal systems undergo significant changes alongside mental health and genome disturbance concerns. As global obesity increases and space travel becomes of high importance, it’s imperative this hypothesis is further researched. Understanding the ways in which the body is influenced in microgravity allows for dietary developments for space travel, and those on earth. Studies done representing evidence of the previous statements utilizing blood sampling, bed rest studies, mice models, spectrophotometry, in vitro digestion and multiple assays. This paper will discuss space flight and its impact on protein function within each bodily system, alongside concepts for future research to aid in developing healthy lifestyles for all through protein balance.