Peroxisomal and Mitochondrial Genes Important in Determining Longevity
Researchers continue to investigate the genetics of natural variations in aging, such as those that can be generated through diet (e.g. calorie restriction) in mice: "Dietary interventions are effective ways to extend or shorten lifespan. By examining midlife hepatic gene expressions in mice under different dietary conditions, which resulted in different lifespans and aging-related phenotypes, we were able to identify genes and pathways that modulate the aging process. We found that pathways transcriptionally correlated with diet-modulated lifespan and physiological changes were enriched for lifespan-modifying genes. Intriguingly, mitochondrial gene expression correlated with lifespan and anticorrelated with aging-related pathological changes, whereas peroxisomal gene expression showed an opposite trend. Both organelles produce reactive oxygen species, a proposed causative factor of aging. This finding implicates a contribution of peroxisome to aging. Consistent with this hypothesis, lowering the expression levels of peroxisome proliferation genes decreased the cellular peroxide levels and extended the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. These findings show that transcriptional changes resulting from dietary interventions can effectively reflect causal factors in aging and identify previously unknown or under-appreciated longevity pathways, such as the peroxisome pathway."
Sorry for the hijack, but it's something I have wondered. Why does SENSE engage in Oncosense? Mortality statistics for major cancers are extremely good for people in the 20-40 year range. It would seem if you manage to rejuvenate you don't have to concern yourself with cancer.
Url to statistic: http://www.cancerprogress.net
@Johannes: I've argued similar points in the past
https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2007/01/to-what-degree-is-a-robust-cancer-cure-sufficent.php
https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2010/01/the-prospect-of-cancer-does-not-worry-me.php
and WILT isn't my favorite SENS program:
https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2011/10/accumulating-the-groundwork-for-the-ultimate-cure-for-cancer.php
The SENS Foundation runs OncoSENS for the same reason they have an open program for RepleniSENS (in the area of regenerative medicine and stem cell science) - they want to have a presence in all the relevant areas where there are points of research that are not being covered. The idea pushing the program of OncoSENS here is that the cancer research community, while large and massively funded, is not looking into attacking cancer through the common mechanisms of telomere lengthening.