According to the common perception, old age is the result of wear and tear of the body, but a recent study by the researchers at Stanford University showed that aging in the result of the in-activeness of a worm gene called elt-3. The researchers found that when elt-3 becomes inactive, other genes too react in a similar fashion, resulting in aging. The researchers studied various animals that have long life span.Stuart Kim, a professor of developmental biology and genetics at Stanford University, gave the example of animals like tortoises that lay eggs at 100 and whales that live to 200 years. The study found that those species use the same building blocks for their DNA, proteins and fats as humans, mice and nematode worms. But there is a difference in the life spans due to difference in the chemistry of the wear-and-tear process, including damage from free radicals.
The study of the nematode worm by the researchers showed the differences between young and old worms did not match the conventional picture of ageing. The researchers studied nematode worm which has life span of two weeks. These worms were subjected to various circumstances which result in the wear or tear of the body. The researchers found out that old age is not due to physical factors affecting body but it is due to inactiveness of a gene. The report presented by the researchers said that the results showed that key genetic mechanisms designed for youth had drifted off track in older animals.
The researchers said, “When the elt-3 slowed down, aging picked up its pace.”
The researchers added that if the scientists could find a way to reverse this genetic process than people could stay young forever. This research has offered a slight hope to the people who don’t want their youthful spirit to be burdened by the number of years.
Marc Tatar, from Brown University in Rhode Island said that this research gave a message to the scientists that ageing can be slowed and managed by manipulating signaling circuits within cells.
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