Reviewing What is Known of the Biochemistry of Klotho Relevant to Effects on Life Span

Increased klotho expression increases longevity in mice, while reduced klotho expression accelerates aging. The most well studied effects of klotho on organ function involve the kidney and brain, where in both cases it appears protective via a number of different mechanisms. Unfortunately, klotho expression declines with age. Whether treating humans with therapies that increase levels of klotho will produce effects that are as large as those observed in mice remains to be seen. Programs that might lead to treatments remain at a preclinical stage of development, though recently advanced to the point of testing in non-human primates. The circulating levels of soluble Klotho have been observed to decrease with age, which increases the risk of age-related illnesses. Researchers demonstrated accelerated aging and a shortened lifespan in mice when the Klotho gene was silenced or deficient. In contrast, an extended lifespan was seen when the gene was overexpressed. Likewise, in humans, Klotho has been shown to display many beneficial effects, especially related to anti-aging. Although the membrane-bound Klotho protein was first associated with neurodegenerative diseases, it has been linked to various other age-related disease processes, including cancer biology and cardiovascular, renal, and skin diseases. Klotho plays a role in cancer biology by serving as both a tumor suppressor and prognostic tumor biomarker, thus preventing and detecting neoplasms. Furthermore, K...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs