'Sexuality' in Killi fish may be the key to preventing aging

Turquoise Killi eggs can temporarily stop growing for many years, longer than the fish hatching, a scientific term called "sex period".

In order to adapt to adverse living conditions, some organisms can halt development and metabolism for several weeks, months or even years. The phenomenon, in a scientific term called the "erosive period" in animals, may contain secrets that help scientists figure out how to prevent future cell aging in humans.

Turquoise Killi.(Photo: Guardian).

Experts from Stanford University, USA, led by Professor Anne Brunet, recently conducted a detailed study on turquoise Killi fish, which can maintain an egg embryo in a "resting state" for many years. in dry conditions, in order to decipher their mechanism of action.

According to research results published in the journal Science , Brunet and colleagues found that the kill period in Killi fish was associated with a decrease in the activity of the genes responsible for cell division and muscle development. Quan. In addition, genes involved in metabolism and maintenance of muscle function are also affected.

The research team says it is possible to apply the embryo mechanism in embryos to mature individuals, which has been demonstrated by testing on a simpler structure than the C elegans nematode."This suggests that modulating genes to activate sex in some mature cells or tissues could extend their life," Brunet said.

The team emphasized that the mechanism of sex only affects the "clock of aging" of cells and tissues and does not affect the age, body size and fertility of the organism as an adult.

"Could the new finding help us find a way to combat aging in humans? In our view, studying animal sexuality mechanisms may provide clues to help us learn." how to prevent or slow the effects of time on cell aging. But this is still speculation at the moment, "Brunet said of the prospect of the study.

Turquoise Killi (Nothobranchius furzeri) live mainly in semi-arid environments in Africa, where the amount of water is erratic, changing seasonally. Over millions of years of evolution, they have developed dry-resistant eggs that can survive drought periods that last a few years, much longer than the life expectancy of adults (4 - 6 months).

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