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Genome-environment interactions that modulate aging: powerful targets for drug discovery
João Pedro de Magalhães1, Daniel Wuttke, Shona H Wood
1Integrative Genomics of Ageing Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom. jp@senescence.info
Pharmacological Reviews
|November 18, 2011
Summary
Aging is a malleable process influenced by genes and environment. Research in model organisms explores interventions like caloric restriction to slow aging and develop therapies for age-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical science
- Gerontology
- Genetics
Background:
- Aging is a primary biomedical challenge, with increasing elderly populations and age-related diseases.
- Aging is a plastic process, modifiable by genetic and environmental factors, as shown in model organisms.
- Gene-environment interactions in aging offer potential for drug discovery and therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review findings on genetic and environmental manipulations of aging in model organisms.
- To focus on gene-environment interactions relevant to drug discovery.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of interventions like caloric restriction.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on aging in model organisms.
- Analysis of genetic and environmental factors influencing aging.
- Examination of gene-environment interactions and their role in aging.
Main Results:
- Caloric restriction retards aging in model organisms and serves as a paradigm for drug development.
- Hundreds of genes regulating aging and caloric restriction have been identified.
- Genes like IGF1R and FOXO3 are linked to human longevity.
Conclusions:
- Understanding gene-environment interactions in aging can lead to human applications via diet, lifestyle, or pharmacology.
- Network approaches may facilitate the development of multitarget drugs and combinatorial therapies.
- Manipulating human aging holds potential for significant health benefits.
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