Scientists at Northwestern University discovered the specific time of our life when our body goes through a genetic switch that marks the onset of aging and reproductive maturity. The study's findings can lead to the development of ways that can help delay aging and degenerative diseases.
Richard Morimoto, study author and professor of biology at Northwestern University, worked with his colleagues in studying a worm species called C. elegans that is often used as a model for humans. They were able to switch off the genetic switch and delay the aging process of the worms using a combination of genetic and biochemical approaches.
The team discovered that the genetic switch happens between the two major tissues, germline and the soma. The germline is responsible for the production of eggs and sperms and sending off a signal to the soma or body tissues to turn off its protective mechanisms to trigger puberty. The researchers believe that if they can turn on the protective mechanisms again, then aging will be delayed.
"What we discovered is exactly at this moment of reproductive maturity, all of these essential cell responses decline simultaneously," Marimoto said to Discovery News.
The findings of the study can be beneficial in the development of treatments that can delay aging and the diseases related to it.
"Wouldn't it be better for society if people could be healthy and productive for a longer period during their lifetime? Our findings suggest there should be a way to turn this genetic switch back on and protect our ageing cells by increasing their ability to resist stress," Marimoto told the DailyMail.
Puberty varies per person but typically occurs between 10 and 14 for girls and 12 and 16 for boys.
The researchers plan to continue the study using human skin cells to determine if they can switch off the genetic switch.
The study was published in the July 23 issue of Molecular Cell.
