Researchers investigating the Hydra's biological immortality have accidentally discovered a link to aging in humans.
Though it may not look like much, the tiny freshwater animal Hydra may
hold some of the answers to why we age. The reason for this is related
to its reproduction - unlike other animals Hydra reproduce asexually
using budding, a process more commonly seen in plants. This is where bu
ds
form and break away from their "parent" Hydra when they have become
miniature adults. Budding means each Hydra polyp must contain stem
cells, or these buds could not form and reproduction would cease. As
Daniel Martínez (Pomona College, California, and not involved in the
study) says, “Hydra is a bag of stem cells... The genes that regulate
development are constantly on, so they are constantly rejuvenating the
body.”
Compare this to humans. As we age, our stem cells lose
the ability to form new cells. This diminished regeneration capability
takes its toll on our tissues and organs such as the heart. Our ability
to withstand the years is extremely poor compared to the Hydra, and its
apparent immortality has tantalised scientists for several years.
When attempting to uncover the Hydra's secrets, researchers came upon
the FoxO gene. This was not surprising - FoxO exists in all plants and
animals and has been known for years. But it was not known if FoxO
played a role in aging and why human stem cells deteriorated. 3 Hydra
samples were created: those with a regular FoxO, those with an inactive
FoxO and those with an enhanced FoxO gene. The Hydra without FoxO
produced fewer stem cells. These results help explain patterns
previously seen in humans - FoxO has been found to be particularly
active in centenarians (people over 100), suggesting it helps people
resist the effects of ageing. FoxO also appears to affect the immune
system, as drastic changes in this area were noted in Hydra with
inactive FoxO.
These results are an important step in
explaining aging. The focus now is on exactly how FoxO works in Hydra
and what (as well as how) environmental factors can affect its activity.
While this study has confirmed a relationship between FoxO and stem
cell maintenance, it has illuminated that longevity depends on two
factors - stem cell maintenance and a well-functioning immune system.
Photo credit: Timm Nuechter and Thomas Holstein.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.zmescience.com/
http://www.pnas.org/content/
Researchers investigating the Hydra's biological immortality have accidentally discovered a link to aging in humans.
Though it may not look like much, the tiny freshwater animal Hydra may hold some of the answers to why we age. The reason for this is related to its reproduction - unlike other animals Hydra reproduce asexually using budding, a process more commonly seen in plants. This is where bu
Though it may not look like much, the tiny freshwater animal Hydra may hold some of the answers to why we age. The reason for this is related to its reproduction - unlike other animals Hydra reproduce asexually using budding, a process more commonly seen in plants. This is where bu
ds
form and break away from their "parent" Hydra when they have become
miniature adults. Budding means each Hydra polyp must contain stem
cells, or these buds could not form and reproduction would cease. As
Daniel Martínez (Pomona College, California, and not involved in the
study) says, “Hydra is a bag of stem cells... The genes that regulate
development are constantly on, so they are constantly rejuvenating the
body.”
Compare this to humans. As we age, our stem cells lose the ability to form new cells. This diminished regeneration capability takes its toll on our tissues and organs such as the heart. Our ability to withstand the years is extremely poor compared to the Hydra, and its apparent immortality has tantalised scientists for several years.
When attempting to uncover the Hydra's secrets, researchers came upon the FoxO gene. This was not surprising - FoxO exists in all plants and animals and has been known for years. But it was not known if FoxO played a role in aging and why human stem cells deteriorated. 3 Hydra samples were created: those with a regular FoxO, those with an inactive FoxO and those with an enhanced FoxO gene. The Hydra without FoxO produced fewer stem cells. These results help explain patterns previously seen in humans - FoxO has been found to be particularly active in centenarians (people over 100), suggesting it helps people resist the effects of ageing. FoxO also appears to affect the immune system, as drastic changes in this area were noted in Hydra with inactive FoxO.
These results are an important step in explaining aging. The focus now is on exactly how FoxO works in Hydra and what (as well as how) environmental factors can affect its activity. While this study has confirmed a relationship between FoxO and stem cell maintenance, it has illuminated that longevity depends on two factors - stem cell maintenance and a well-functioning immune system.
Photo credit: Timm Nuechter and Thomas Holstein.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.zmescience.com/
http://www.pnas.org/content/
Compare this to humans. As we age, our stem cells lose the ability to form new cells. This diminished regeneration capability takes its toll on our tissues and organs such as the heart. Our ability to withstand the years is extremely poor compared to the Hydra, and its apparent immortality has tantalised scientists for several years.
When attempting to uncover the Hydra's secrets, researchers came upon the FoxO gene. This was not surprising - FoxO exists in all plants and animals and has been known for years. But it was not known if FoxO played a role in aging and why human stem cells deteriorated. 3 Hydra samples were created: those with a regular FoxO, those with an inactive FoxO and those with an enhanced FoxO gene. The Hydra without FoxO produced fewer stem cells. These results help explain patterns previously seen in humans - FoxO has been found to be particularly active in centenarians (people over 100), suggesting it helps people resist the effects of ageing. FoxO also appears to affect the immune system, as drastic changes in this area were noted in Hydra with inactive FoxO.
These results are an important step in explaining aging. The focus now is on exactly how FoxO works in Hydra and what (as well as how) environmental factors can affect its activity. While this study has confirmed a relationship between FoxO and stem cell maintenance, it has illuminated that longevity depends on two factors - stem cell maintenance and a well-functioning immune system.
Photo credit: Timm Nuechter and Thomas Holstein.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.zmescience.com/
http://www.pnas.org/content/
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