Science & Technology - Posted by Kate Moore-King's College London on Monday, February 8, 2010 11:01 - 16 Comments 
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(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Genetic variants linked to human aging
Tim Spector, a professor at King’s College London, who co-led the project explains that the variants identified are near a gene called TERC, “which is already known to play an important role in maintaining telomere length. What our study suggests is that some people are genetically programmed to age at a faster rate. The effect was quite considerable in those with the variant, equivalent to between three to four years of ‘biological aging’.
KING’S COLLEGE LONDON (UK)—After analyzing more than 500,000 genetic variations across the entire human genome, a research team has identified definitive variants associated with biological aging in humans.
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The variants are located near a gene called TERC. Scientists from King’s College London and the University of Leicester reported their findings Feb. 7 in Nature Genetics.
There are two forms of aging: chronological aging—how old someone is in years—and biological aging—whereby the cells of some individuals are older (or younger) than suggested by their actual age.
“There is accumulating evidence that the risk of age-associated diseases including heart disease and some types of cancers are more closely related to biological rather than chronological age,” says Nilesh Samani, a professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Leicester.
“What we studied are structures called telomeres which are parts of one’s chromosomes. Individuals are born with telomeres of certain length and in many cells telomeres shorten as the cells divide and age. Telomere length is therefore considered a marker of biological aging.
“In this study what we found was that those individuals carrying a particular genetic variant had shorter telomeres—they looked biologically older. Given the association of shorter telomeres with age-associated diseases, the finding raises the question whether individuals carrying the variant are at greater risk of developing such diseases”
Tim Spector, a professor at King’s College London, who co-led the project explains that the variants identified are near a gene called TERC, “which is already known to play an important role in maintaining telomere length. What our study suggests is that some people are genetically programmed to age at a faster rate. The effect was quite considerable in those with the variant, equivalent to between three to four years of ‘biological aging’ as measured by telomere length loss.
“Alternatively genetically susceptible people may age even faster when exposed to proven ‘bad’ environments for telomeres like smoking, obesity, or lack of exercise—and end up several years biologically older or succumbing to more age-related diseases.”
The study was funded by the Wellcome Trust and the British Heart Foundation.
King’s College London news: www.kcl.ac.uk/news/
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16 Comments
Here is a post recently done on this topic with an Aubrey Degray video.
It’d be great to see them find out how to reverse these genes and potentially live longer, but then again population control would come into affect. Good research, looking forward to hearing more about this.
Natural selection occurs in humans (and any other kind of organism) because of variation (the differences between individuals of a species). Genetic disorders are an example of variation because some people have them and some people don’t. An example of a genetic disorder is sickle cell anemia.
I think its a great achievement for the medical science. You see some day we will win the cancer too. This identification of definitive variants gave us a chance to more research to someway control our genetics.
Wow. They are trying to tell you how to live longer and healthier, and because that requires you giving up one of your favorite vices you complain?
I think its opened a huge way for modern science and technology. Someday there will be nothing to fear for mankind. This identification of definitive variants tells that nothing is invincible for mankind.
Great! Given the association of shorter telomeres with age-associated diseases, the finding raises the question whether individuals carrying the variant are at greater risk of developing such diseases.’
really nice article thank you
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This identification of definitive variants gave us a chance to more research to someway control our genetics. Thanx for the info.
I think its a great achievement for the medical science. You see some day we will win the cancer too. This identification of definitive variants gave us a chance to more research to someway control our genetics.
Great discovery! Heard a lot of this findings from some other research, would be very good to know that some of our diseases is genetical, considering that we weren’t aware of it, will be more cautious now.
good article, i obviously enjoy this amazing site, keep on it.
the american and british gerontolagist have found all the multiple genes that make you age.in america m.i.t massachusits institute of technology have made a anti-ageing tablet so you can live forever and achieve emmortality,the secreat is to permanently turm of all the genes that make you age.
I really wish scientists would put more concentration on topics like this. I think it would solve a lot of the worlds problems and hidden truths. Maybe in the future alter or slow down aging? I know it’s a popular topic and of course we’re all going to age at some point, but with the restrictions set in forth now we do not have a choice. I’d like to see things changed!
i wonder if they will be able to slow or eventually stop the aging process in the future