Calorie Restriction Genes

Scientists have found a new range of anti-aging genes, or calorie restriction genes, that the life extension method of calorie restriction might activate.

In C. Elegans worm studies, gene known as PHA-4 has recently been found to coordinate other genes that influence how the worm's body responds to a restricted diet.

In the study, in worms, a loss of the gene encoding the protein PHA-4, negated the lifespan-enhancing effect of calorie-restriction in worms.

And, when researchers then undertook the opposite experiment, by overexpressing PHA-4 in worms, the longevity effect was enhanced.

Now, what is interesting is that in humans, there are three genes that have similar characteristics to the PHA-4.

All these three have an important role in the regulation of glucagon, which is a pancreatic hormone that increases the concentration of blood sugar and maintains the body’s energy balance, especially during fasting.

The researchers believe that the corresponding genes in humans have a high change of working similarly to the PHA-4 gene in worms.

These genes in humans are now part of the study to found genetic characteristics and pathways for life extension.

Other genes under investigation, so called longevity genes, include daf-2, pit-1, amp-1, clk-1 and p66Shc.

Calorie Restriction Genes - Studies