Longevity thanks to mutant genes

In addition to being fortunate to avoid accidents in life, an extremely important factor for longevity is an unusual combination of mutant genes that can protect the body from related diseases. old.

This particular genetic mystery has helped to re-ignite the body's biochemical mechanism, for some people who are able to live longer than usual.

The finding by expert A. Kunkel, Director of Genetic Programs at Boston Medical Institute, and Thomas T. Peter, a veteran geriatrician at Boston Medical University is a new attempt to decipher the secret of longevity.

In the framework of a research project for centenarians, Mr. A. Kunkel and his colleagues have identified some special genes in siblings in the UK. Kunkel believes that people who have inherited this rare genetic combination are often older. When they reached 90, they didn't look much older than 70s .

According to Professor - Dr. Perls, centenarians have a 'special exception' of longevity. During the study, he discovered many of them who lived for hundreds of years with siblings or close relatives. In particular, the most notable is the case of a 108-year-old girl with a sister who is 102 years old and 2 younger siblings 103 years old and 99 years old. 'This shows the possibility of these families carrying special protective genes.'

As soon as these two scientists met, the longevity research project was launched. Specialist Kunkel and Professor Perls have sought new people living above 100 years old through students, newspapers and census lists. After taking blood samples from these people, the researchers extracted DNA samples and began searching for genetic secrets, mainly unusual features of DNA.

After analyzing and comparing with the samples of ordinary people, they found that human longevity is really complex about typical characteristics that are influenced by some genes. In the recent Mechanisms of Ageing and Development journals of the University of Washington, the authors write: ' There are too many complementary mechanisms leading to aging, while genes that control longevity in humans. too faint, really not easy to detect. Unlike prolonging life in low-level organisms such as roundworms, fruit and fruit flies, it is only necessary to modify some genes that we have the feeling that there are only a few genes, ranging from 4 to 6, in humans can have the same effect in supporting longevity . '

Currently, the researchers focus on this genetic mechanism in the genome of 308 people, including 137 siblings who live over 100 years of age. 'The hope is at the top of the chromosome pair (chromosome) number 4, and we have found an unusual connection in this area with longevity,' Perls said.

In another study, hundreds of hundred-year-old people around the world were given blood samples and facts about disease history for the study of finding specific genes. Scientists hope this important source of information and data will reveal valuable clues about longevity, and further can lead to the ability to create a kind of drug that allows people to fulfill their wishes. dream of " seniors ".

A.HOW