A mouse study shows that the genetics of long life is influenced both by gender and age
Researchers from several Swiss and American institutions report evidence that gender and age influence the genetics behind longevity. The group described their research on aging in humans and mice in their article published in Science. Joao de Magalhaes from the University of Birmingham has published an article in the same issue of the journal describing the technical challenges of understanding how aging functions and the work of the team.
Scientists have studied the aging process over many years, but they still don’t have a satisfactory explanation as to why some organisms live longer than others. Researchers wondered in this new study if the genome played a role in the average lifespan of a species.
The researchers discovered that a large dataset containing information about aging of nearly 3,000 mouse species had also been created by another team. They analyzed the genetic information after gaining access to the database. The researchers found that there were multiple loci they could link to longevity. Some of these loci were gender specific. The researchers also discovered that mice with smaller litters or those who were heavier in their early years tended to live longer. The researchers suggest that the genes associated with aging could have played a part in both traits. Researchers also discovered that aging-related gene fragments remained dormant in the later stages of an individual’s lifespan.
Source:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-09-mouse-genetics-longevity-gender-age.html
