Genes and regeneration: Extending lifespan through gene transfer

Transferring regeneration-associated genes from simple organisms to complex animals could be a way to combat aging and enhance longevity.

In a study that has a hint of sci-fi about it, researchers from the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences have reported on the intriguing possibility of extending lifespan through gene transfer. By borrowing genes from species known for their remarkable regenerative abilities – such as jellyfish and flatworms – the scientists aimed to investigate whether these genes could enhance the regenerative capacities and longevity of other organisms. While full regeneration is still more likely to be found on an episode of Doctor Who, the research of these other doctors marks a significant step towards understanding how genes linked to regeneration could potentially impact aging processes.

My take on this: Repairing damage is a therapeutic approach we often discuss, but the geroscientific implications of research into regeneration are profound, opening new doors to novel therapies that could delay or even reverse aspects of aging. By understanding and leveraging the biological mechanisms that drive aging, longevity researchers can develop interventions that improve healthspan, and by focusing on genes associated with high regenerative capacity, new strategies for maintaining stem cell function and tissue homeostasis can be found, enhancing the quality of life in aging populations.

In this study, the researchers introduced highly regenerative species-specific JmjC domain-encoding genes (HRJDs) into the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, a model organism with limited regenerative abilities. These HRJDs are a group of genes unique to animals capable of whole-body regeneration.

“In animals capable of whole-body regeneration, such as flatworms and jellyfish, specific genes may help allow regeneration and maintain long-term stem cell functions,” explained Associate Professor Yuichiro Nakajima, a leading researcher in the study. “Conversely, mammals and insects, which have limited regenerative abilities, may have lost these genes during evolution.”

The goal was to observe whether reintroducing these genes could have a beneficial effect on regeneration and aging processes in a species not typically known for its regenerative prowess.

The results were both surprising and promising; while the researchers initially hoped that the fruit flies might exhibit enhanced tissue regeneration, the reality was somewhat different. The introduction of HRJDs did not spur new tissue growth in injured flies., but an unexpected yet significant finding was observed in the intestinal stem cells of aging flies.

Learn more about this study, and what the researchers discovered, plus insights from lead researcher Professor Yuichiro Nakajima right HERE.

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