ID :
77991
Wed, 09/02/2009 - 14:36
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/77991
The shortlink copeid
SCIENTISTS DISCOVER WAY TO REVERSE AGEING EFFECTS
By Zakaria Abdul Wahab
SINGAPORE, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- Scientists from Singapore and Germany have made a discovery which might lead to ways of reversing the effects of ageing and wrinkled skin.
Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) said the
scientists discovered that mutations in the PYCR1 (Pyrroline-5-carboxylate
reductase 1) gene caused a rare genetic condition which resulted in premature
skin ageing, known as "wrinkly skin syndrome".
The international team of scientists was led by Dr Bruno Reversade from
A*STAR's Institute of Medical Biology (IMB) and their findings were published in
the latest issue of the prestigious journal "Nature Genetics".
Their discovery provided an insight into how some unexpected genes helped
maintain youthful skin, A*STAR said in a statement today.
It said the research project involved collaboration with over 15 hospitals
and research centres in 13 countries.
The scientists used bioinformatics tools to analyse rare DNA samples
collected from affected patients across the world who, at a young age, displayed
signs of premature ageing.
They identified the PYCR1 gene on Chromosome 17 of these patients to be
defective and found specific mutations in the gene that led to conditions often
seen in elderly people, such as loose skin, loss of bone density, hip
dislocation and cataract.
A*STAR said developing therapies that could increase the activity of the
PYCR1 protein could possibly reverse the process of ageing in affected
individuals or slow it down in normal people.
-- BERNAMA
SINGAPORE, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- Scientists from Singapore and Germany have made a discovery which might lead to ways of reversing the effects of ageing and wrinkled skin.
Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) said the
scientists discovered that mutations in the PYCR1 (Pyrroline-5-carboxylate
reductase 1) gene caused a rare genetic condition which resulted in premature
skin ageing, known as "wrinkly skin syndrome".
The international team of scientists was led by Dr Bruno Reversade from
A*STAR's Institute of Medical Biology (IMB) and their findings were published in
the latest issue of the prestigious journal "Nature Genetics".
Their discovery provided an insight into how some unexpected genes helped
maintain youthful skin, A*STAR said in a statement today.
It said the research project involved collaboration with over 15 hospitals
and research centres in 13 countries.
The scientists used bioinformatics tools to analyse rare DNA samples
collected from affected patients across the world who, at a young age, displayed
signs of premature ageing.
They identified the PYCR1 gene on Chromosome 17 of these patients to be
defective and found specific mutations in the gene that led to conditions often
seen in elderly people, such as loose skin, loss of bone density, hip
dislocation and cataract.
A*STAR said developing therapies that could increase the activity of the
PYCR1 protein could possibly reverse the process of ageing in affected
individuals or slow it down in normal people.
-- BERNAMA
