Speaker: Cynthia Kenyon
Key words: aging
Abstract: Biochemist Cynthia Kenyon has found a simple genetic mutation that can double the lifespan of a simple worm, C. elegans
Content:
Experiment subject: C. elegans (a short-lived worm )
Result:
- mutations that damage one single gene called daf-2 doubled the lifespan of the little worm.
- And also in mice
What is daf-2 gene ?
- is a gene encoding a hormone receptor (daf-2 receptor)
- The daf-2 hormone receptor is very similar to the receptor for the hormone insulin and IGF-1.
- Function of insulin/IGF-1 receptor
- control the process of uptake of nutuition at the signal of Insulin
- control growth at the signal
- Function of insulin/IGF-1 receptor
- control aging - how?
- when daf-2 receptor damaged, the repair genes (a lot) can be switched on by a gene regulator protein call FOXO
- when the daf-2 receptor is active, then it triggers a series of events that prevent FOXO from getting into the nucleus where the DNA is
What we do now?
-
suggestion: produce a drug that activates FOXO
daf-2
IMG_5501
Link: TED
