Klotho Gene
Klotho, a gene in both mice and men, has a definite effect on aging, according to Dr. Makoto Kuro-o. Stimulating the Klotho gene seems to delay many of the effects of old age, like weakening of bones, clogging of the arteries and loss of muscle fitness.
"Increased longevity is always associated with increased resistance to oxidative stress," explains Kuro-o. "Oxidative stress causes the accumulation of oxidative damage to important biological macromolecules such as DNA, lipids, and proteins that would result in functional deterioration of the cell, which eventually causes aging."
"In this study," says Kuro-o, "we propose that Klotho does its job by increasing the ability of the cell to detoxify harmful reactive oxygen species, thereby increasing resistance to oxidative stress of the body." The protein acts by turning on an enzyme called manganese super-oxide dismutase. This enzyme, found in the mitochondria of the cell, then hydrolyzes harmful super-oxide into less harmful hydrogen peroxide.
This research may eventually lead to the development of anti-aging drugs, a long-standing goal of many pharmaceutical companies. "We showed that the anti-aging hormone Klotho confers resistance to oxidative stress in cells and animals," says Kuro-o. "This means that Klotho protein itself or small molecule mimetics may be potentially useful as anti-aging medicines."
Klotho Anti-Aging Gene. Nov. 5 2005. Copyright © 2002-2004. Technovelgy LLC.
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