A global team of researchers has identified a gene capable of simultaneously accelerating organismal growth and sexual maturation, while also curtailing lifespan and increasing the likelihood of developing cancer. The work by scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and their British colleagues has been published in the journal Nature Communications.
The focus of the investigation was the vgll3 gene, which had previously been linked to the timing of puberty in humans and various animals. However, scientists have now experimentally confirmed its role in the mechanism determining the balance between rapid organismal development and long-term health.
For their experiment, specialists utilized the African turquoise killifish, a small fish with a short life cycle frequently employed in aging research. Using CRISPR gene-editing technology, the scientists altered the function of the vgll3 gene and subsequently observed the consequences of these modifications.
The results indicated that individuals with the modified gene exhibited faster growth and reached sexual maturity earlier. In a natural environment, this could have provided them with a reproductive advantage and increased their chances of leaving offspring. However, the accelerated development was accompanied by adverse effects. These fish had shorter lifespans and encountered age-related tumors, including melanoma, significantly more often.
Further examination of the gene’s mechanism of action revealed that vgll3 influences cell division processes, stem cell function, and the repair of damaged DNA. The researchers hypothesize that heightened cellular activity at early life stages promotes accelerated growth and development, but simultaneously increases the accumulation of age-related damage and the risk of oncological diseases.
The authors of the study highlight that the obtained data represent some of the most compelling evidence for the theory of antagonistic pleiotropy. According to this concept, certain genes can benefit an organism at a younger age, but subsequently exert a negative influence on health and lifespan.
The scientists emphasize that the vgll3 gene is also present in humans. They believe this discovery will aid in a better understanding of the aging process and the mechanisms behind age-related diseases. Moving forward, the research team plans to investigate whether it’s possible to preserve the beneficial effects of this gene on organismal growth and development, while simultaneously severing its link to an increased cancer risk and reduced lifespan.
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