Science reveals Methuselah genes

Science: Researchers discovered Methusalem genes. The genes are responsible for a long life.

(04.07.2010) Researchers are the first to discover so-called Methuselah genes, which are responsible for a long life of humans. So it should be possible to determine, based on certain gene variants, how old a person can become. The results of the study were published in the scientific journal "Science".

Not only a healthy lifestyle is responsible for a long life. Scientists from the United States have found a study to identify specific genes responsible for the aging process in humans. The researchers at the "Boston University" examined the genes of around one thousand 100-year-old study participants. In the process, the scientists came across so-called Methuselah genes, which are very likely to predict the onset of old age. In about 90 percent of the subjects gene variants were found in which these genes were present. There are exactly 19 special genes that are considered an indication of a long life. The oldest female test subject was 110 years old, and her researchers found that there were many genetic abnormalities that indicated longevity.

The background to the decryption of genetic variations is the planned use of personalized medicines. For example, biostatistics professor Thomas Pearls said that deciphering the "Methuselah genes" could pave the way for personalized genetic research and predictive medical care, meaning that medicines should be "tailor-made" for the patient in the future However, the study has made only a small step in this direction and the research results could help in the prevention of certain diseases, as the study has revealed new insights into the interaction of the aging process and diseases Due to the Methuselah genes, age-related diseases such as dementia, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease break down much later.

On average women are significantly older than men. For example, the current life expectancy in the industrialized nations of women is 82 years, and on average 76 men. Among the oldest registered people in the world, over 110 years old, there are 75 women, but only two men. The life expectancy of the people also increases continuously. Researchers believe that many children born today in rich industrialized countries can live well beyond 100 years. But whoever believes that because of these gene variants, a long life would be absolutely predetermined, is wrong. The researchers explicitly pointed out that it goes without saying that a healthy lifestyle is important. Environmental factors are also of high value. (Sb)