There is now a change in perspective. Science is focusing on genes that promote longevity and healthiness instead of genetic variations that encourage diseases. Science is planning to scrutinize the sequence of 100 genes in as much 1,000 old and healthy people. The objective of the research is to further clarify how some genetic variation protects people from health pathologies such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and permits them to have healthy life to 80 and above.
As a benchmark, we have Jeanne Calment of France who lived up to the age of 122 years. The project that is being undertaken is expected to shed light on how sequences of genes enable people to live healthy up to an exceedingly old aged, like Calment.
Progress in genetic screening tools has made it possible to assess the genomes attribution to healthy longevity. Research has already shown that despite healthiness at old age, the genomes have flaws. There is evidence that these healthy old people have a genetic vulnerability to diseases like diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease yet they do not suffer from it. This has given Eric Topol, cardiologist and head of the Genomic Medicine Program at the Scripps Translational Science Institute, in La Jolla, CA, daunting questions. The criteria that protect them from diseases are unfortunately unidentified.
Now, researchers are trying to understand their protectionism. Blood samples from 1000 individuals of an age above 80 who have been unexposed to severe illness during their lifespan has been collected to provide answers. A sequence of 100 genes will be deeply examined to find out importance of each in sustaining health through aging. Genes responsible for DNA repair, protein hormone or insulin growth factor-1 will be given highest attention.
The various enzymes influencing DNA repair are core clues to unveil the aging puzzle. They take care of DNA damage that accumulate through age and are thus a potential hint to longevity. Research conducted on mouse as well has human has shown that defect in genes involved in repairing DNA can encourage early aging. Moreover, receptors such as insulin growth factor- (IGF1) have been proven to affect aging for various species such as flies, mice and nematodes.
Studies conducted up to now have only examined a limited amount of genes. It is suggested many genes affect the body’s health and defense against diseases. The research on elder people will help science to determine whether their gene variation prevents detrimental factors or act as a protective function.
The team of Topol will use the information gathered and then compare it with people who have passed-away from age-related diseases prior to reaching eighty. It has already been concluded that healthy people have only a minimum chance of not being affected by diseases associated with variation. This affirms that people with protective genes have a greater chance of surviving until late age.
The goal is to spot the molecular mechanism that produces this protective effect and thereafter makes a drug with similar effects. Nir Barzilai, head of the Longevity Genes Project at Albert Einstein College of Medicine considers that longevity genes can help to fight a multiple of age-related diseases. From a medical perspective, to identify the longevity genes and create a mimic drug will cure disease as well as promoting longevity.
Moreover, Barzilai who is working on another research has selected a couple of Ashkenazi Jews, aged 95 and above, thus having longevity genes. The study has found that aged people have a gene variation that modifies the way cholesterol is processed by younger people. The genes for IGF1 and its receptor were found to be similar to another couple of female centenarians.
There are now two different approaches used to hunt for the longevity genes. The differential research technique used by Barzilai and Topol and their colleagues will help to crosscheck findings and to validate the genome study.
Source: Technology Review
Fri, Jan 15, 2010
Anti Aging, Health And Aging, Longevity