Have scientists found the key to shut off aging? New study with worms finds success

Research finds where the aging begins in worms.

Scientists have uncovered how to switch off the aging process, during a recent study with worms, which could possibly lead to the process being successful in humans.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - The new study showed that adult cells of worms shortly begin their deterioration once they reach reproductive maturity. This process of genetic switch lets aging being by "turning off" the processes that aim to protect cells within the body.

This discovery is very important because human beings have a similar genetic switch, which suggests the possibility for the aging process and certain degenerative diseases to be artificially delayed in the human body.

The results, published in the journal Molecular Cell, claim to identify the start of aging, refuting the theory that aging is a slow series of random events.

"Wouldn't it be better for society if people could be healthy and productive for a longer period during their lifetime?" asked Professor Morimoto, the senior author of the study. "I am very interested in keeping the quality control systems optimal as long as we can, and now we have a target. Our findings suggest there should be a way to turn this genetic switch back on and protect our aging cells by increasing their ability to resist stress."

The scientists studied the transparent roundworm C. elegans, which have a biochemical environment similar to that of humans. In the C. elegans, they discovered the decline begins eight hours into adulthood, when all of the switches get thrown to shut off the animal's cell stress protective mechanisms.

Morimoto learned that the germline stem cells are responsible for making eggs and sperm that control this switch.

In animals, including C. elegans and humans, heat shock response is crucial for proper protein folding and cellular health. Aging is known to be associated with a weakening in quality control, so Morimoto looked precisely at the heat shock response in the life of C. elegans.

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