Roundworm Gene Insight Into Caloric Restriction

Scientists have identified a gene that directly links an ultra-low-calorie diet leads to longer life in the lowly roundworm.

Caloric restriction is also linked to longevity increases all the way up the evolutionary ladder to primates, possibly including humans.

The jump from worms to people is a long one, but the scientists have plotted a plausible path:

People have three genes very much like the worm's pha-4. They are related to glucagon, a pancreatic hormone that increases blood sugar concentration and maintains the body's energy balance, particularly during fasting, they said.

Pinpointing the worm gene might open the door to drugs that imitate the effects of calorie restriction and could allow people to live longer without following such a severely restrictive diet....

Study identifies gene linked to longer lifespan [Reuters]
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Image: Genome.gov*