Decoding Longevity

A Korean research team has made a breakthrough in decoding the aging process, suggesting insights into how to dramatically slow it down. Mihwa Seo, from the Institute for Basic Science (Korea), and colleagues investigated RNA helicases – a family of enzymes that regulate the function of RNA, in the cells of Caenorhabditis elegans (roundworm).  The investigator studied 78 RNA helicases , finding that altering more than 30 RNA helicase genes actually significantly decreased life expectancy.  Importantly, they identified that inhibition of HEL-1 promotes longevity .  The team posits that HEL-1 may act as a transcription regulator, which control how cells convert DNA to RNA.  Writing that: “RNA helicase HEL-1 appears to promote longevity,” the study authors submit that: “a similar mechanism for longevity regulation via an RNA helicase-dependent regulation of FOXO signaling may operate in mammals, including humans.”