以色列的一個研究小組不久前發(fā)現(xiàn)提高與長壽相關(guān)基因的活躍度可延長雄性小鼠的壽命。
包括人類在內(nèi)的許多生物體內(nèi)都有Sirt基因家族的基因，此前的研究表明Sirt系列基因能延長線蟲和果蠅的壽命,。哺乳動物通常擁有7種Sirt基因,，但確認這類基因的活躍度與延長壽命相關(guān)尚屬首次,。
以色列巴伊蘭大學(xué)的研究者在2月23日出版的英國學(xué)術(shù)期刊《自然》上報告說,，他們在實驗中發(fā)現(xiàn)生物如果沒有Sirt6基因,，其生存狀態(tài)就會出現(xiàn)異常,，這種異常與衰老類似,。于是他們通過轉(zhuǎn)基因技術(shù)培養(yǎng)出Sirt6基因更為活躍的兩個小鼠種群，并研究它們的壽命變化,。結(jié)果這兩個種群中的雄鼠平均壽命分別延長了14.8%和16.9%,，但雌鼠未發(fā)生類似變化。
研究人員說,，如果能徹底了解Sirt系列基因活躍度影響壽命的具體機制,，就有望為人類長壽研究提供新線索,。（生物谷 bioon.com）
doi: 10.1038/nature10815
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The sirtuin SIRT6 regulates lifespan in male mice
Yariv Kanfi, Shoshana Naiman, Gail Amir, Victoria Peshti, Guy Zinman, Liat Nahum, Ziv Bar-Joseph & Haim Y. Cohen1
The significant increase in human lifespan during the past century confronts us with great medical challenges. To meet these challenges, the mechanisms that determine healthy ageing must be understood and controlled. Sirtuins are highly conserved deacetylases that have been shown to regulate lifespan in yeast, nematodes and fruitflies1. However, the role of sirtuins in regulating worm and fly lifespan has recently become controversial2. Moreover, the role of the seven mammalian sirtuins, SIRT1 to SIRT7 (homologues of the yeast sirtuin Sir2), in regulating lifespan is unclear3. Here we show that male, but not female, transgenic mice overexpressing Sirt6 (ref. 4) have a significantly longer lifespan than wild-type mice. Gene expression analysis revealed significant differences between male Sirt6-transgenic mice and male wild-type mice: transgenic males displayed lower serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), higher levels of IGF-binding protein 1 and altered phosphorylation levels of major components of IGF1 signalling, a key pathway in the regulation of lifespan5. This study shows the regulation of mammalian lifespan by a sirtuin family member and has important therapeutic implications for age-related diseases.
