Exploring the Connection Between Long Genes and the Aging Process

Exploring the Connection Between Long Genes and the Aging Process
The study of long genes and their potential impact on the aging process has become a focal point in the field of genetics and aging research. Long genes, which are characterized by their extensive length and complex structure, have been found to play a crucial role in various biological processes, including aging. Scientists are now delving into the intricate relationship between these long genes and the aging process, seeking to uncover the mechanisms by which they may influence the rate of aging and the development of age-related diseases. Understanding the connection between long genes and aging could hold the key to unlocking new insights into the biological mechanisms of aging and potentially lead to the development of novel interventions for age-related conditions.
Unraveling the Link Between Extended Genes and the Aging Phenomenon
The correlation between extended genes and the aging phenomenon has become a subject of intense scrutiny within the scientific community. Extended genes, characterized by their elongated genetic sequences, have emerged as a focal point in the investigation of age-related biological processes. Researchers are now dedicated to unraveling the intricate association between these extended genes and the aging phenomenon, aiming to shed light on the underlying mechanisms that govern the aging process and its impact on overall health. By exploring the link between extended genes and aging, scientists hope to gain a deeper understanding of the biological intricacies of aging and potentially uncover new avenues for therapeutic interventions.

Long Genes and Aging

Everyone knows that aging is a natural part of life. However, that has not stopped humans wanting to know how to slow down the aging process. Studies surrounding the Blue Zones where people consistently live over 100 years of age have brought some insights into how certain lifestyle actions can lead to healthy aging and a longer life. Recent studies have examined other ways that may slow the aging process, including cutting calories, following a fasting-mimicking diet, and getting more physical activity. “If we understand more about aging, it could help us to identify novel ways to monitor and improve health,” Thomas Stoeger, PhD, assistant professor of medicine in pulmonary and critical care at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, a member of the Potocsnak Longevity Institute, and co-corresponding author of a new report recently published in the journal Trends in Genetics, told Medical News Today. “While multiple individual causes of aging are known, there is an outstanding need to understand why they all change the body in similar ways with age. This is the root of the problem,” Stoeger said. In this report, Stoeger and his team from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine report that long genes in the body — which are more susceptible to damage — might be a main cause of the body’s aging. Additionally, researchers think that long genes may also play a role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

What are Long Genes?

According to Stoeger, long genes are the template to build proteins that are large, generally because these proteins need a certain size to function properly. “Many of those proteins are especially important for the functions of neurons. However, they are also important to other parts of the body,” Stoeger explained to MNT. “The longer a gene, the more likely it is that it becomes damaged at least once. Singular damage to a gene can already prevent the body from building the protein templated by the gene. The longer the gene, the less likely it is that our bodies can build the proteins templated by these genes,” he continued. Stoeger said that researchers do not yet fully understand all the consequences of damage to long genes. “However, one consequence is that the body struggles and fails to produce the proteins encoded by the long genes. Thus, proteins essential for some of the body’s functions become selectively lost with age, according to the length of their genes,” he added.

Defining GLTD

This new report encompasses findings from four international research groups, which is reportedly the first to conclude that most aspects of biological aging are related to gene length. The report also introduced a new term called gene length-dependent transcription decline (GLTD), which the scientists define as a “negative correlation between gene length and their expression in various cell types, species, and diseases.” “Long genes that become less active with age may be the central cause of aging in our bodies. Our finding advances the field by identifying a single phenomenon that connects most existing knowledge about aging and makes this underlying phenomenon measurable. The regulation of genes is one of the most central processes of life, and our four studies explain why the activity of long genes in particular change in aging,” Stoeger says.

Long Genes and Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers also state that long genes may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases because expressed genes of neurons are normally long. “The present study (opinion article) makes the connection between gene length in aging and Alzheimer’s Disease,” Stoeger said. “The idea for this manuscript stems from co-author Dr. Sourena Soheili-Nezhad, who made the initial observations on gene length in Alzheimer’s disease, alongside an unrelated study of Dr. Shahar Barbash and Prof. Thomas Sakmar.” “Dr. Soheili-Nezhad did not seem surprised when he read about ongoing research of mine on aging, and didn’t need to convince me much that there could be a profound connection to his findings on Alzheimer’s disease,” he continued. “Knowing about the importance of gene length in neurodegenerative disease makes it measurable. This allows for the design of experiments and interventions trying to increase the function of long genes,” he added.

Long Genes and Aging

RESULT

Long genes play a crucial role in the aging process. They are involved in regulating gene expression, producing essential enzymes, and influencing cellular processes. Studies have shown that certain long genes, such as FOXO3, TERT, and SIRT1, are linked to longevity in humans and are associated with age-related diseases. Understanding the functions and roles of long genes in aging may provide insights into potential interventions for promoting healthy aging.