New research carried out on the fruit fly has revealed that mutations in a metabolism-related gene called Indy can double the insect’s life span. In addition, the flies retained the majority of their physical faculties (determined by their ability to fly and successfully breed). The Indy gene, which is involved in nutrient transport, is expressed in both fruit flies and mammals. Study co-author Robert A. Reenan believes that Indy mutations increase life span by altering the metabolism and “mimicking calorie restriction. He also speculated that it might be possible to develop a drug that limits the effect of the Indy gene, therefore extending the human life span.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Science 2000; 290: 2137-2140
