Key gene discovery helps prolong life

American scientists at the Salk Institute in San Diego have discovered a key gene that can explain why a diet helps animals live long, after studying in the laboratory about tiny worms. C.elegans consist of only 1,000 cells.

(Photo: iStockphoto) Biologists have identified the role of the key gene PHA-4 . This is the only gene needed for the diet to affect age. It regulates the activity of other genes. According to Hugo Aguilaniu of Lyon College of Pedagogy (France), co-study, providing an animal with 70% of its diet will help animals increase by 20 to 30% of their life.

Researchers say there are two ways to extend life span: diet and insulin. Adjusting the amount of insulin that doubles the lifespan in rats may cause dwarfism and infertility problems.

If the diet is balanced but balanced, C.elegans will live longer. But if researchers suppress the PHA-4 gene, the diet is no longer working. If the activity of this gene increases with a normal diet, the worm will live longer. If this gene is active and accompanied by a diet, the worm will live longer.

C. Elegans cannot live without the PHA-4 gene to help it grow.

According to US geneticist Gary Ruvkun of Harvard University, the study may help to understand aging in humans. PHA-4 is equivalent to 3 genes (foxa 1,2,3) in humans.