Genes from the mother affects a person's age

A group of researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Germany say that a person's genetic factors also influence the rate of aging. The researchers generated a series of inbred mice in order to study the role of mitochondrial mutations in aging.

As the years pass us by, we grow and age. Now, scientists have discovered that aging is not only determined by the accumulation of changes during our lifetime but also from the genes we acquire from our mothers. (Picture from: http://www.scienceworldreport.com/)

They add that mice tend to transmit low levels of DNA mutations through a germ line.  In a laboratory test that they have to do, if the damaged DNA in mitochondria have a considerable effect on the rate of aging in mice. Mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) damage can build up over a person's lifetime, according to the researchers. But this latest study has found that mitochondrial DNA damage can actually be passed on from our mothers.

"Mitochondrial DNA (MDNA) will deteriorate over time leading to cellular energy production is gradually declining. That's what causes aging," said researcher Dr. Nils-Goran Larsson, as quoted by LiveScience.

Mitochondria itself is known as the organ that produces energy in the form of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Keep in mind, MDNA is different from the DNA in the nucleus of cells derived from both parents. Additionally, MDNA can only be found in the female genetic structure.

Thus, the researchers believe, that with a set of genetic mutations inherited by the mother to her children can affect the speed of the aging process. Or in other words can be translated as 'the age' which becomes shorter. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIVESCIENCE | RIF | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 12092013]

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