2023-11-27 07:00:07
New scientific revelations about aging could open previously unexplored doors to extending our lifespan. Researchers from Eötvös Loránd University, Dr. Ádám Sturm and Dr. Tibor Vellai, delved into the mysteries of aging and made a significant breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms of aging. Their research focuses on the “transposable elements” (also called transposons) present in our DNA, which behave like moving parts in our manual of genetic instructions.
Image d’illustration Pixabay
A transposon is a “jumping” gene. This DNA sequence has the ability to move autonomously, on one strand of DNA or on another strand. But excessive movement of transposons can destabilize the genetic code and thus contribute to aging. As part of their research, the scientists succeeded in identifying the process that allows these transposons to be controlled. This is a process called “Piwi-piRNA” (“RNA interacting with Piwi” in French), consisting of entrusting the role to RNAs of blocking activity (The term activity can designate a profession.) transposons.
Building on their previous studies in 2015 and 2017, Dr Sturm and Dr Vellai have now provided experimental evidence to support the idea of lifespan extension (Life is the name given 🙂 through management of transposon activity. Their latest research, published in Nature Communications, demonstrates that these moving parts of DNA play a crucial role in the aging process.
To arrive at these conclusions, the researchers first observed the “Piwi-piRNA” process in cells that do not undergo aging, such as cancer stem cells and the remarkable Turritopsis dohrnii, also known as ” immortal jellyfish. Subsequently, by “reinforcing” the Piwi-piRNA process in a worm called Caenorhabditis elegans (Caenorhabditis elegans is a nematode of the Rhabditidae family. It is an organism…), the team observed a remarkable extension of the lifespan of the worm!
The researchers also discovered changes in the worms’ DNA as they aged, particularly at the level of transposons. These changes, called DNA methylation, increased as the animals aged, affecting transposon activity. Dr. Vellai highlighted the potential of this discovery, saying that this epigenetic modification could eventually serve as a true biological clock to determine age from DNA.
This work could well revolutionize our understanding of aging and open up new perspectives on the extension of human life. By better understanding the mechanisms of aging, we could be on the cusp of major medical breakthroughs for a future where aging is healthier and perhaps even prolonged.
1701071319
#unlocking #potential #DNA #extend #life