A set of genes that remain unchanged throughout the ageing process have been identified – a discover that could improve the accuracy of ageing research and provide insights into why some genes stay unchanged while others decline.
The study looked at gene activity in 17 different tissues in mice, from one month old to over 21 months old.
Scientists used advanced bioinformatic analysis methods to analyse RNA sequencing data, finding nine genes that stayed the same across all tissues, as well as other genes that remained stable in specific tissues.
These genes are usually shorter and have special DNA regions called CpG islands, which may help cells stay healthy and resist ageing. Their stability throughout ageing was confirmed by analysing different datasets and using RT-qPCR.
One of the most significant findings is that these stable genes are linked to essential cellular functions, such as mitochondrial activity and protein maintenance.
This challenges the common belief that all aspects of aging involve gene dysregulation. Instead, the findings suggest that some cellular processes may naturally resist ageing, leading the way for new research on longevity and potential anti-ageing therapies.
Another key finding is that commonly used reference genes, such as GAPDH and ACTB, fluctuate with age, making them unreliable for aging studies.
No single classical reference gene was found to be stable across all tissues. Researchers often use these reference genes as a control to measure gene activity, but if their expression changes over time, it can lead to inaccurate results.
By identifying new, stable reference genes, this study provides scientists with better tools for studying aging-related diseases, regenerative medicine, and longevity science.
Understanding how certain genes remain unchanged throughout life suggests that they may play a protective role in aging and could potentially be used to develop treatments that slow down age-related decline.
While further research is needed, this discovery sets a new standard for measuring gene activity in aging studies and could have a significant impact on aging research and medicine.
