Finding the genetic secret helps people live longer

What is the secret of longevity? This is a question that always worries scientists. Some argue that lifestyle, environmental factors and genetic factors are the main factors affecting human life expectancy. According to statistics, genetic factors from families affect 20-30% of adult life expectancy. And recently, a new study done at the National Cancer Research Center found that, which gene determines the life expectancy of people.

>>>The secret to long life, long life

In previous studies, scientists have identified a number of genes that are thought to be closely related to human lifespan. The most bright candidate is Apolipoprotein E (APOE, which helps transport cholesterol throughout the body) and FOXO3A (regulating insulin sensitivity). Research shows that the variation of these genes is related to the lifespan of the owner. However, the effect is not large and scientists suspect that there must be another factor that plays a particularly important role.

To clarify that, a group of researchers at the Cancer Research Center in Spain performed an exome analysis (a gene coding for protein) of members of three different families with solid life expectancy. special long. The oldest of these three families is 103 or older and their siblings are at least 97 years old. After that, the research team compared the exome sample of 800 other individuals to find out the difference.

Finally, the team found that all three long-lived families possessed a rare mutation in the Apolipoprotein B (APOB) regulatory gene . Similar to APOA protein, APOB also performs the function of cholesterol transport. APOB helps transport "bad cholesterol" . These are low-density lipoproteins (LDL, substances in the fat-binding protein group) in the blood. When the human body needs cholesterol and carries it out, LDL will create "walls" along the walls of blood vessels, clog the arteries and eventually lead to heart attacks.

From the results of the study, scientists in Spain say that genetic mutations have reduced levels of LDL in the blood and the human body is also less affected by cholesterol. According to Timothy Cash, who led the study: "If a person has a low cholesterol, it will help them have a healthier cardiovascular system. This is an important factor in the aging process that contributes to pulling. Long life span of humans ".

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