A team of US researchers has identified a gene they say may trigger many of the diseases of old age. The gene, called p21, was already known to make a protein that stops old or damaged cells dividing. But it also appears to affect the action of many other genes.
The scientists, based at the University of Illinois, Chicago, investigated the effects of p21 by 'turning it on' in human cells growing in the laboratory. They found that when p21 was activated, it 'switched off' more than 40 genes involved in cell division, and at the same time boosted the activity of about 50 other genes. They included the gene for the precursor of beta-amyloid, a protein involved in Alzheimer's disease.
'The pattern was striking' said Professor Igor Roninson, who led the study. 'Turning on this one gene brought about changes in numerous other genes that have already been implicated in ageing and age-related diseases.' Other p21-activated genes included ones that make proteins involved in heart disease and arthritis.
The findings, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may lead to new treatments for age-related illnesses.
Sources and References
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Gene of eternal youth
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Gene discovery may reduce diseases linked to old age
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Key old-age gene found
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Study finds new genetic link to aging
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