Researchers have provided experimental evidence of a pathway that controls aging, revealing that the suppression of certain sequences of mobile DNA in nematodes can extend lifespan. This discovery not only enhances our understanding of the aging process, but also holds potential for advancements in biology and medicine.
Transposable elements, also known as transposons or “jumping genes,” are DNA sequences that can move from one location in the genome to another. These movements can sometimes cause mutations, contributing to the aging process and the development of age-related diseases.
Scientists from the University of Etvash Laurend (Elte) in Hungary had previously hypothesized that a specific process called Piwi-Pirna plays a role in aging by monitoring transposable elements. In their latest study, they have provided evidence supporting the involvement of this pathway.
The Piwi-Pirna pathway is an RNA suppression mechanism that protects genomes from the mutagenic activity of transposable elements. In their current study, the researchers conducted experiments on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and discovered that the suppression of two specific families of transposable elements, TC1 and TC3, slows down the aging process.
“In our studies, when we simply suppressed transposable elements or expressed the components of the Piwi-Pirna pathway, we observed a statistically significant increase in lifespan,” said Adam Sturm, the lead author of the study.
Additionally, the researchers observed epigenetic changes in the DNA of these aging worms. They determined that it may be possible to use epigenetic modifications as a precise indicator of biological age.
“Epigenetic modifications can potentially pave the way for a method of determining age based on DNA, providing an accurate measure of an individual’s biological age,” said Tibor Vellai, the corresponding author of the study.
Understanding the mechanisms that control aging more effectively could lead to the development of methods to prolong lifespan and improve health in old age, according to the researchers.
The research study was published in the journal Nature Communications.