[Signal (nondestructive) role of environment in aging]

Adequate pattern of gene activity due to positive environmental influences of natural niches can enhance the resistance of organisms and reduce their aging. But the life expectancy in nature is much below (due to high external mortality) than in laboratory conditions. Some mutated genes, modified products of which are involved in regulatory control circuits, can (in some cases) mistakenly transform inadequate external cues of artificial experimental conditions to the regular reaction of an organism on the quite natural environment. This will lead to significant life span extension of laboratory animals. On the other hand, several lines of evidence suggest that the suitable signal simulating natural one, sent in appropriate time to the proper place, can also increase life span, but without change of a genetic design.