【013】Experiments that hint of longer lives

Speaker: Cynthia Kenyon

Key words: aging

Abstract: Biochemist Cynthia Kenyon has found a simple genetic mutation that can double the lifespan of a simple worm, C. elegans

Content:

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Experiment subject: C. elegans (a short-lived worm )

Result:

• mutations that damage one single gene called daf-2 doubled the lifespan of the little worm.
• And also in mice

What is daf-2 gene ?

• is a gene encoding a hormone receptor (daf-2 receptor)
• The daf-2 hormone receptor is very similar to the receptor for the hormone insulin and IGF-1.
  • Function of insulin/IGF-1 receptor
    • control the process of uptake of nutuition at the signal of Insulin
    • control growth at the signal
• control aging - how?
  • when daf-2 receptor damaged, the repair genes (a lot) can be switched on by a gene regulator protein call FOXO
  • when the daf-2 receptor is active, then it triggers a series of events that prevent FOXO from getting into the nucleus where the DNA is

What we do now?

• suggestion: produce a drug that activates FOXO

  daf-2

IMG_5501

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Link: TED