Gene linked to youthful appearance may help solve ageing puzzle
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Richard Faragher, University of Brighton
How long you live depends in part on the genes you inherit. For example, those suffering from Werner’s syndrome have inherited two defective copies of a gene coding for an enzyme that is involved in DNA replication and repair.
A lack of this enzyme produces premature cell senescence – the build up of dysfunctional cells as we age which causes damage to tissue – and elevated levels of inflammatory proteins. The end result is the early development of many conditions seen in older people, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, grey hair, wrinkled skin and shrinkage of the thymus. Werner’s syndrome is perhaps the nearest thing we will ever see to true accelerated ageing.
At the other end of the scale are individuals who carry rare variants of the Foxo3a gene who show high physical and cognitive function late in life, as well as lower incidences of some age-related diseases and better self-reported health. Those fortunate enough to carry tw...
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