The interlocutor of socialbites.ca, one of the leading researchers of the General Institute, says that the theory of mutational aging is the most evidence-based, which explains this process by the accumulation of mutations that lead to age-related changes in the genome. Genetic. NI Vavilov RAS, Professor of Genomics and Bioinformatics at the Siberian Federal University (SFU), geneticist Konstantin Krutovsky.
“I personally support the mutational theory of aging. Mutations damage the genes of the repair mechanism, making it less effective. The frequency of somatic mutations increases with age and mutations accumulate. This process is more or less random. And then how lucky: depending on where the mutation occurred, ”said Krutovsky.
Such mutations lead to age-related changes: loss of skin elasticity, decrease in body size, hair loss, changes in bone tissue and others.
There is also a second theory that describes aging as a built-in program in the body. This theory emerged from experts trying to explain the mechanism that causes premature aging syndrome, or progeria. In this context, the idea that the aging program in the body comes into play very early has been put forward. And when it exists, you can cancel it. But according to Konstantin Krutovsky, this turned out to be wrong.
“It turns out that the cause of childhood progeria is mutations in the LMNA gene, which encodes nuclear laminoproteins A and C. These are proteins that form the structure of the nuclear membrane in the cell. The nuclear envelope plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the cell nucleus and regulating gene expression (activity),” explained the expert.
Mutations in the LMNA gene lead to the synthesis of abnormal proteins that disrupt the structure of the nuclear envelope and the functioning of the cell. Therefore, Krutovsky believes that the second “program” theory of aging does not justify itself.
Find out more about what’s special about the genome of the oldest woman on the planet, who died at 115, how scientists are extending the lifespan of mice in experiments, and whether aging can be canceled entirely. To read In an interview with socialbites.ca.