Scientists Find Gene Linked to Longer Life

Study Found That Removing the Gene Boosted Leanness and Longevity in Female Mice

(WebMD)  Scientists have discovered a gene that may affect longevity and leanness.

The gene is called S6K1. In lab tests, the typical life span of mice lacking the S6K1 gene was 9 percent longer and the maximum life span was 10 percent longer than mice with the gene.

Knocking out the S6K1 gene only affected longevity in female mice, but the reasons for that aren't clear from the study, which appears in the Oct. 2 edition of Science.

Female mice without the S6K1 gene also were leaner than female mice that have the gene, regardless of how much they ate, note the researchers, who included Colin Selman, PhD, of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Selman worked on the study while at University College London.

Selman's team also notes that mice lacking the S6K1 gene were "smaller than their littermates throughout their lives," but were healthy and weren't dwarfs.

The results seen by deleting the S6K1 gene mimic the anti-aging effects of caloric restriction seen in lab tests on animals -- but without dieting, Selman and colleagues observed.

The researchers conclude that thwarting the S6K1 gene might lead to treatments for aging-related diseases. But they have not studied the gene in people.

[nojoy01]

by Ichabod09 October 3, 2009 6:13 AM EDT

The mice lived longer however, their buttz fell off. Any idea of the function of the deleted gene? In my opinion, "nature" had the gene there for a purpose.

And no dammmit, the Republicans had nothing to do with it.
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As far as the "function" of the deleted gene goes "nature" doesn't have a "delete" button for genes that don't perform any useful function, or even are detrimental. To find out I guess we'll have to fund a few thousand generations of mice to see what the effects might be.

Sorry, but you're wrong. It's all Bushs' fault.

[Ichabod09]

"Knocking out the S6K1 gene only affected longevity in female mice, but the reasons for that aren't clear from the study, which appears in the Oct. 2 edition of Science."


Read the article slick, I never stated that "nature" deleted the gene.

Just curious nojoy, out of your multiple IDs, do you remember your original ID?

[Ichabod09]

"Knocking out the S6K1 gene only affected longevity in female mice, but the reasons for that aren't clear from the study, which appears in the Oct. 2 edition of Science."

Read the article I never stated that "nature" deleted the gene.

Looks like you maybe using multiple IDs again. Also, you apparently can dish it out but not take it.

[Ichabod09]

The mice lived longer however, their buttz fell off. Any idea of the function of the deleted gene? In my opinion, "nature" had the gene there for a purpose.

And no dammmit, the Republicans had nothing to do with it.

[rf35]

The fact that the mice were leaner is likely directly related to the increased lifespan. Research is clear that lean is healthy (wish I was healthier in that aspect). If low body fat is healthy, then the longer lifespan would be expected. I wonder if this could also be used to help people with medical conditions that lead to obesity, or even those who just can't step away from the doughnuts and go for a run.