Photos from open sources of
A group of scientists conducted a study of the molecular mechanism aging and identified the gene that is most likely to respond for the aging of the body. The research results are published in BMC Genome Biology.
The experts analyzed a huge amount genetic information of different people. Scientists wanted to discover the relationship between genes and the intensity of aging of their carriers. Accepted assume that a person has two ages: biological and calendar. They do not have to match, as the body wears out all people have different ways.
Scientists Trey Ideker and Steve Horvath in 2013 designed this called “epigenetic clocks” – a model that allows determine the biological age of a person. This calculation model allows you to predict a person’s age based on level DNA methylation in different parts of the genome, something like biomarker.
Using epigenetic clocks, scientists studied processes accelerated metabolism that lead to premature aging in some people. A gene was discovered in the genome of these people nsd1, which was absent from others. Scientists believe that if remove the given gene from the body, this may affect transience of human aging. Anyway, research this gene should be continued, as this will lead to understanding the mechanism of aging.
Currently, scientists plan to test their guesses on mice, conducting a series of experiments to remove a gene from their body nsd1.
Independent researchers fear that even if scientists can stop aging, then nature will find another way limit a person’s life. A certain balance will be upset. Maybe, this same gene is also responsible for another important function in the body, for example immunity. Then the person will remain defenseless before environment and no eternal youth will help him to survive.
Andrey Vetrov
DNA
