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Decoding the genome for a longer lifespan
7 November 2024
Changes in the expression profile of tRNAs, the molecules that decode the genetic information, can increase stress tolerance and improve health and survival in old age in animal models.
tRNAs are ancient molecular decoders that allow the information in the genome to be converted to protein in all cells. Recent work by the Alic lab at the UCL Institute of Healthy Ageing, in collaboration with University of Glasgow and University of Kent, shows that changes to tRNA expression levels boost the ability of cells and organisms to withstand stress that harms cellular proteins. This is conserved in very distantly related animals: worms, flies and mice. Researchers at UCL show that in flies this is sufficient to improve several parameters of health in old age and extend lifespan. Hence, changes in how the genome is decoded can improve health.
Links
- Research paper in PLoS Biology
- Prof Nazif Alic's academic profile
- UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment
- UCL Biosciences
- Institute of Healthy Aging on X