8th Feb 10
Researchers discover link between genes and aging
by Harry Oldfield
Dutch and British scientists have found genetic variants which could explain why some people age at a younger age than others, and could have important implications for understanding age-related disease and cancer.
Researchers analysed over 500,000 genetic variations from human gene maps and discovered that people with a particular variant near a gene called TERC were more likely to be biologically older by 3 to 4 years.
Tim Spector, who led the research, said that the study suggested that some people are genetically programmed to age at a faster rate, with a considerable effect in those with the variant.
The study, published in Nature Genetics journal, explained that there were two forms of aging, chronological aging, and biological aging, in which the cells of some people are older, or younger, than their chronological age.
Cardiology professor Nilesh Samani, who worked on the research, said that there was accumulating evidence that the risk of age-associated diseases such as heart disease and some types of cancers were more closely related to biological rather than chronological age.
The researchers studied structures known as telomeres, protective caps on the end of chromosomes whose length is associated with aging.
The shortening of telomeres could lead to premature aging and cancer, a discovery which helped win the 2009 Nobel Prize for Medicine for three American scientists who discovered an enzyme, telmorase, which prevents such shortening.
Scientists have already known for a while that the TERC gene which regulates the length of telomeres, plays an important role in aging and cancer, however the importance of this study was to identify particular variants in humans which suggest earlier aging is more likely.
"Very interesting article. Couldn't of written any better. Browsing this post reminds me of my old chum. He always kept speaking about this. I will forward this post to him. Am sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing! :)"
Our Stories
- Boeing 737s to undergo safety checks
- School students given sleep classes
- Ashley Cole asks Cheryl to delay separation
- Kidnapped boy found safe and well in Pakistan
- Winslet and Mendes announce their separation
- Mother of James Bulger demands justice
- New Boyzone album tops the charts
- Thai Prime Minister rejects ultimatum
- Sir Alex Ferguson expects a tight finish
- 70 per cent of BA flights to operate despite strike
- Bournemouth best place to go for a local holiday
- NHS hospital parking causes stress
Popular Topics
alex reid ASDA ashley cole BBC british airways British Retail Consortium cabin crew cadbury celebrity big brother cheryl cole christmas christmas shopping Dannii Minogue david cameron facebook Google gordon brown itv John Lewis katie price London Marks & Spencer Met Office Michael Jackson online shopping peter andre prince william robbie williams royal family royal mail Sainsbury’s scotland simon cowell strictly come dancing supermarkets swine flu Tesco tiger woods tories travel trends twitter UK UK shopping unite union x factorArchive
-
- DiscountVouchers.co.uk © 2009.
ASAP Ventures Ltd, All rights reserved.
Registered in England and Wales. Company number 4278063. - Registered office: 1 The Square, Lightwater, Surrey, GU18 5SS.
Leave a Reply