Newly Discovered Genes May be Linked to Longer, Healthier Life

Scientists have uncovered the genes that may lead to a longer, healthier life. They've looked at the genomes of three organisms and have found the genes associated with the aging process that all three have in common.

In this latest study, the researchers combed through 40,000 genes in order to find genes associated with aging in the nematode C. elegans, zebra fish and mice. By screening these genes, the scientists wanted to find out which genes are regulated in an identical manner in all three organisms in each comparable aging stage-young, mature and old.

As a measure of gene activity, the scientists measured the amount of messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules found in the cells of these animals. This molecule is the transcript of a gene and the blueprint of a protein. When there are many copies of an mRNA of a specific gene, it is very active. Fewer mRNA copies are regarded as a sign of low activity.

The researchers used statistical models to establish an intersection of genes that were regulated in the same manner in the worms, fish and mice. This revealed that the three organisms have only 30 genes in common that significantly influence the aging process.

It's likely the same mechanism they found in these organisms also occurs in humans, since the researchers only looked for genes that are conserved in evolution and exist in all organisms. However, a follow-up study will be needed in order to assess this impact on humans.

The findings deliver important indicators on how the aging process could be influenced and how age-related diseases could be prevented.

The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.

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