Scientists Discover a Gene that Plays Key Role in Accelerating and Slowing Aging

Could we slow or even reserve aging? That's a question that scientists have grappled with for years as they study genetic manipulations. Now, scientists have found a single gene that plays a surprising role in aging that can be detected early on in development, which could eventually lead to using therapeutics to manipulate the aging process.

 "We believe that a previously uncharacterized developmental gene known as Spns1 may mediate the aging process," said Shuji Kishi, the research who led the study, in a news release. "Even a partial loss of Spns1 function can speed aging."

Most other studies on aging have actually focused on later stages of life. This one, though, looked at earlier life stages. The scientists examined Spns1 during the embryonic stages of zebrafish, using various genetic approaches to disturb the gene. This allowed them to produce some fish with a shortened life span while creating others that lived long lives.

More specifically, the researchers found that Spns1 in conjunction with another pair of tumor suppressor genes, beclin 1 and p53 can, influences developmental senescence, which is the decline in a cell's power of division and growth. In addition to affecting senescence, though, the gene also impedes autophagy, which is the process by which cells remove unwanted or destructive proteins and balance energy needs.

The findings reveal a possible way to use therapeutics in the future to manipulate aging. In fact, therapeutics might be able to influence aging through Spns1. That said, it will be quite some time before researchers actually implement any type of therapeutic treatment. In the meantime, this study represents a possible path for future research.

The findings are published in the journal PLOS Genetics.