Have scientists found the “Elixir of Youth”? Gene that destroys unhealthy cells is found to extend the life of flies by more than 60%

Published: 17:55 p.m., 16 January 2015

Source: Richard Gray for mailonline.

Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2913648/Have-scientists-Elixir-Youth-Gene-destroys-unhealthy-cells-extend-life-flies-60-cent.html

Science field: Medical investigation

Summary:

Researchers gave fruit flies an extra copy of a gene known as “azot”. It is thought to kill cells that malfunction to help keep tissues healthy. Tissue from flies with the extra gene grew slower, and was healthier. The flies also lived between 50 to 60% longer than normal insects. Humans also carry the azot gene and researchers hope it could be used to develop new anti-aging treatments. If it has the same affect in humans, the average lifespan could become 120.

Glossary:

-          Tissue: a part of an organism consisting of a large number of cells having a similar structure and function: connective tissue, nerve tissue.

-          Span: the complete duration or extent.

-          Average: the number that results from adding several quantities together and then dividing that total by the number of quantities that were added.

-          Harmful: causing or tending to cause harm; injurious.

-          Bestow: to present (a gift) or confer (an award or honour).

-          Gut: the part of the body that carries food and digests it, esp. the intestines.

Review:

Scientists may have hit upon a new way of extending the lifespan of living organisms by activating a gene that destroys unhealthy cells. Researchers found they were able to help flies live up to 60% longer by increasing the activity of a gene that targets damage cells. This cells could be transferred to humans, it could extend the average lifespan of people in developed countries beyond 120 years old. This gene is called ahuizotl or azot, it acts like a sort of cellular quality control, helping to weed out unhealthy or malfunctioning cells. It also helps to protect crucial organs like the brain or the gut from a build-up of potentially harmful unhealthy cells. When the scientists gave fruit flies an extra copy of this gene, they found the insects tissues became healthier and age slower.

Humans are known to also have the azot gene, opening up the possibility that it could be used to create new anti-ageing treatments. For centuries, humans have been seeking ways to extend their lives. However, this latest research is still some way from being tested in mammals.

This gene could be used as a regenerative medicine to extend human lifespan. This study significantly advances the understanding of a mechanism of cellular quality control that detects relative, rather than absolute, cell health. Preserving the healthier cells in a particular tissue and culling the sicker ones irrespective of the whole tissue’s average health is a strategy that evidently works well in many circumstances, since it also exists in mammals.

Written by Rebeca Mees