Late Life Genes

Researchers discover “late-life” genes that protect middle-aged individuals against stress.

18:14 23 February 2017

A new study has found genes that only become active as we hit middle age. Called ‘late-life cyclers’ or LLC, the group of genes was found to offer protection against strenuous events.

 

Co-author Professor Jadwiga Giebultowicz of the Oregon State University College of Science, said: 'This class of LLC genes appear to become active and respond to some of the stresses most common in aging, such as cellular and molecular damage, oxidative stress, or even some disease states,' 

 

Professor Giebultowicz, an international expert on the mechanisms and function of the biological clock, said: 'Aging is associated with neural degeneration, loss of memory and other problems, which are exacerbated if clock function is experimentally disrupted,' 

 

'The LLC genes are part of the natural response to that, and do what they can to help protect the nervous system.'

 

In their study, researchers used fruit flies who share 75per cent of disease-prone genes with humans. They found that when exposed to artificial oxidative stress that damages brain membranes, older flies expressed the LLC genes rhythmically and robustly. According to the scientists, the increased rhythmic expression of these genes shows the importance of the circadian rhythms.