China reports progress in decoding human aging cell
( 2002-01-31 12:07) (8)
Chinese scientists say they have determined the P16 gene is the major link in the genetic program of cell senescence, a major step in deciphering the secret of the human cell senescence.
Han Qide, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Thursday described this genetic discovery as an original contribution to Chinese research on the mechanism of aging opening up a new path for the scientific community to decode the secret of human cell senescence.
Using funding from 18 different sources over the last few years, the discovery was made by a group of experts headed by Tong Tanjun and Zhang Zongyu, professors from the Medical Department of Beijing University. The American Journal of Biological Chemistry published two papers on the research results last December, and they were included in the "Science Citation Index".
In an interview with Xinhua, the two Chinese experts said they also found the p16 gene can affect the life span of cells and the cellular biological clock length, and the reduction of negative control is an important cause of over expression of the P16 gene in replicative cellular aging.
The experts also prove by four different means that controlling the expression of the P16 gene does not only prolong the life span of the cell and reduce the level of aging but also slow down the shortening of cellular biological clock length. "The opposite results will be made if we strengthen the expression of P16 gene," said the experts.
Professor Tong said cellular aging is the basic unit of cell senescence, and the common foundation for geriatric diseases.
"Our research has shown at least the life span of some human cells can be regulated through recombinant DNA technique," he said.
|
