RNA Transcription and Aging: How Slower Transcription May Lead to Longer Lifespans
This blog post discusses a recent paper that shows that RNA transcription goes faster as animals age and that the accompanying slop (bad splicing and formation of circular RNAs) contributes to aging. If transcription is slowed, the lifespan may be extended. Topics include ACTIVISM, AGING, and BIOLOGY.
Charles Brenner, PhD
Discovered NR as an NAD precursor vitamin Dept Chair @CityofHope Chief Scientific Advisor @ChromaDex No BS zone Tweets are mine alone
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the paper itself is a beautyhttps://t.co/YDtUB5blpY
— Charles Brenner, PhD (@CharlesMBrenner) April 13, 2023
shows that RNA transcription goes faster as animals age & that the accompanying slop (bad splicing & formation of circular RNAs) contributes to aging
if you slow transcription, you get longer lifespan (probably bc less slop) https://t.co/b0hJQ7XcXf -
dietary restriction & insulin receptor mutation cut down on the slop
— Charles Brenner, PhD (@CharlesMBrenner) April 13, 2023
this is consistent with this system being a true sign & mechanism of aging
the headlines associated with the article are deeply misleading. the paper does not suggest how to reverse declines of aging -
all of the animals in the study decline in aging
— Charles Brenner, PhD (@CharlesMBrenner) April 13, 2023
those with known aging interventions like dietary restriction & pituitary mutations have longer lifespans but are not necessarily more fit
growth hormone mutants are runted & infertile -
ppl calling themselves longevity docs literally inject older folks w hGH to help build muscle mass. most nutritionists also sensibly tell ppl to eat protein & lift to maintain muscle mass
— Charles Brenner, PhD (@CharlesMBrenner) April 13, 2023
DR & low growth hormone signaling may extend lifespan in lab but also extend frailty in ppl -
bottom line: great study but it's not age reversal
— Charles Brenner, PhD (@CharlesMBrenner) April 13, 2023
i'd also suspect that overexpressing histone genes or slowing polymerases will have negative consequences for animals -
forgot to say that directly slowing down transcription cuts down on slop and extends lifespan a bit--this is a key point for them to conclude that the accelerating rate of transcription is an aging mechanism
— Charles Brenner, PhD (@CharlesMBrenner) April 13, 2023