The brain aging gene

A gene responsible for brain aging has been discovered
Dmitry Safin, Compulenta 

The development of many diseases of the visual and nervous systems (for example, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases) is directly related to the aging process. The nature of the origin and patterns of occurrence of these ailments have been studied quite well, so an international group of researchers representing the University of Montreal (Canada) and the National Laboratory in Berkeley (USA) decided to look at the problem more broadly and determine the basic molecular mechanisms controlling the degradation of neurons.

Persistent searches were crowned with success: experimenting on mice, scientists have identified a mutation that significantly accelerates the aging process of neurons in the brain and retina. It is reported that in the absence of the Bmi1 gene, the p53 protein was activated, which resulted in cell death (in the figure from the journal Science, the p53 protein in connection with the DNA molecule).

The researchers also noted some concomitant phenomena, for example, an increase in the concentration of reactive oxygen species and increased sensitivity to the effects of neurotoxins.

"In general, we were able to show that the Bmi1 gene directly controls the degradation of retinal and cerebral cortex neurons, affecting the mechanisms of protection against free radicals," sums up the head of the group Gilbert Bernier (Gilbert Bernier) from the University of Montreal.

The scientists' report is published in the current issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

Prepared based on the materials of Science Daily.

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru19.01.2009