Computer algorithm developed by TAU researchers identifies genes that could be transformed to stop the aging process
Restricting calorie consumption is one of the few proven ways to combat aging. Though the underlying mechanism is unknown, calorie restriction has been shown to prolong lifespan in yeast, worms, flies, monkeys, and, in some studies, humans.
Now Keren Yizhak, a doctoral student in Prof. Eytan Ruppin‘s laboratory at Tel Aviv University‘s Blavatnik School of Computer Science, and her colleagues have developed a computer algorithm that predicts which genes can be “turned off” to create the same anti-aging effect as calorie restriction. The findings, reported in Nature Communications, could lead to the development of new drugs to treat aging. Researchers from Bar-Ilan University collaborated on the research.
“Most algorithms try to find drug targets that kill cells to treat cancer or bacterial infections,” says Yizhak. “Our algorithm is the first in our field to look for drug targets not to kill cells, but to transform them from a diseased state into a healthy one.”
A digital laboratory
Prof. Ruppin’s lab is a leader in the growing field of genome-scale metabolic modeling or GSMMs. Using mathematical equations and computers, GSMMs describe the metabolism, or life-sustaining, processes of living cells. Once built, the individual models serve as digital laboratories, allowing formerly labor-intensive tests to be conducted with the click of a mouse. Yizhak’s algorithm, which she calls a “metabolic transformation algorithm,” or MTA, can take information about any two metabolic states and predict the environmental or genetic changes required to go from one state to the other.
“Gene expression” is the measurement of the expression level of individual genes in a cell, and genes can be “turned off” in various ways to prevent them from being expressed in the cell. In the study, Yizhak applied MTA to the genetics of aging. After using her custom-designed MTA to confirm previous laboratory findings, she used it to predict genes that can be turned off to make the gene expression of old yeast look like that of young yeast. Yeast is the most widely used genetic model because much of its DNA is preserved in humans.
Some of the genes that the MTA identified were already known to extend the lifespan of yeast when turned off. Of the other genes she found, Yizhak sent seven to be tested at a Bar-Ilan University laboratory. Researchers there found that turning off two of the genes, GRE3 and ADH2, in actual, non-digital yeast significantly extends the yeast’s lifespan.
“You would expect about three percent of yeast’s genes to be lifespan-extending,” said Yizhak. “So achieving a 10-fold increase over this expected frequency, as we did, is very encouraging.”
Hope for humans
Since MTA provides a systemic view of cell metabolism, it can also shed light on how the genes it identifies contribute to changes in genetic expression. In the case of GRE3 and ADH2, MTA showed that turning off the genes increased oxidative stress levels in yeast, thus possibly inducing a mild stress similar to that produced by calorie restriction.
As a final test, Yizhak applied MTA to human metabolic information. MTA was able to identify a set of genes that can transform 40-to-70 percent of the differences between the old and young information from four different studies. While currently there is no way to verify the results in humans, many of these genes are known to extend lifespan in yeast, worms, and mice.
The Latest on: Aging Genes
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Aging Genes” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Aging Genes
- Researchers uncover DNA repair mechanism that could yield treatments for cancer, premature agingon May 8, 2024 at 10:47 am
When the researchers knocked out the genes needed to control the tubules ... Mekhail notes the discovery is also relevant to premature aging conditions like progeria. The rare genetic condition causes ...
- What you eat could alter your unborn children and grandchildren’s genes and health outcomeson May 8, 2024 at 2:29 am
WITHIN the last century, researchers’ understanding of genetics has undergone a profound transformation. Genes, regions of DNA that are largely responsible for our physical characteristics, were ...
- Sleep Onset Mechanics: Understanding the Transition from Wakefulness to Slumberon May 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Multiple studies have shown that sleep influences aging, body mass index ... The expression of clock genes inside a cell influences many signaling pathways that allow the cell to identify specific ...
- Coral Sanfeliu, aging researcher: ‘Sitting eight hours a day affects brain connections’on May 7, 2024 at 10:52 am
The scientist has just published a book on the positive effects of exercise on brain health and the genetic mechanisms that are activated in response to physical activity ...
- Seragon Completes Pre-Clinical Study of Aging Intervention Candidate SRN-901on May 7, 2024 at 7:10 am
Seragon Biosciences, Inc. today announced the completion of a pre-clinical study on its novel anti-aging candidate, SRN-901. This pivotal study, conducted in mice, was undertaken to evaluate the ...
- Here Are 5 Signs Your Skin Is Actually Aging Wellon May 6, 2024 at 6:16 am
The aging process can look extremely different from person to person ... [or that you have] a healthy immune system [or maybe] good genes,” dermatologist Dr. Lauren Moy explained. If you’re dealing ...
- Rethinking Age: Scientists Uncover Molecular Fingerprint of Biological Agingon May 5, 2024 at 10:01 am
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have identified blood-based markers that are associated with healthy and accelerated aging. These markers can help predict a person's biological age, which ...
- Watch what you eat! Your diet can have a influence on your descendant's genes!on May 3, 2024 at 10:27 am
Genes, regions of DNA that are largely responsible for our physical characteristics, were considered unchanging under the original model of genetics pioneered by biologist Gregor Mendel in 1865. That ...
- Resyncing Your Body Clocks May Fight Agingon May 2, 2024 at 11:00 am
However, when both the muscle and brain clock genes were turned back on, the mice showed fewer signs of aging and better muscular function, suggesting that it is the communication between the muscle ...
- 5 Good Signs Your Skin Is Actually Aging Wellon May 2, 2024 at 4:00 am
However, if your skin is even toned and there isn’t really any discoloration, this is a sign that your skin is aging in the ideal and healthy way. “Over time, chronic sun exposure can increase dark ...
via Bing News