Modify the brain gene can lengthen your life

[] Message: scientists have long known, for mice live longer, we must let them starve, become skinny. United States scientists recently discovered that by modifying the mouse brain a gene can make it less live longer, and be able to make it more obesity. This extension of the study of human life is very good. Related papers published on 20 July in science magazine.

Strictly limited uptake of energy mice can make their life increased by 50%. Scientists have speculated that one of the key factors to mice for insulin reaction. In a half-starved of mice skinny, able to effectively use the insulin that makes them physical organization of insulin levels are very low, reducing the rate of metabolism.

In the latest study, Harvard Medical School of molecular biologist Dr. Morris White and colleagues concerned insulin receptor substrate-2 (Irs2) on the life of mice. Irs2 is found in including the brain, many organizations of protein, which helps cells to insulin response.

White team first remove the mouse chromosome Irs2 both copies of a single, 21 months later, these mice to larger than normal mice slightly heavier, in addition, these mice equally able to effectively use the insulin and longer life than normal mice increased 17%.

Next, the research team only to remove the mouse neurons in a copy of the Irs2, they found that these mice than normal mice gain of 15%, 18% of longevity, but they are suffering from metabolic syndrome — cannot effectively use the insulin, which is a prodrome of diabetes. Research Group accordingly concluded that life is composed of the brain regulating the metabolism rate and its ability to respond to insulin.

United States MIT Leonard Guarente geneticists that experiment genetic modification of mice and restricted diet of mice in sharp contrast, shows that at least two ways you can extend the life of mice.

University of California San Francisco School of molecular biologist Cynthia Kenyon said that the findings and some life researchers have only effective utilization of insulin to live longer perspective. She also said, cut the body Irs2 signaling may prolong life, but it can cause side effects such as such as diabetes.