Does Klotho Act on Cognitive Function via FGF23?

Klotho is a longevity gene in that more of the protein it codes for acts to modestly extend life in mice. Levels of klotho protein decline with age, and increased amounts appear to produce beneficial outcomes in health and longevity in part via stem cell function. Klotho also influences cognition, and a number of research groups are working on approaches, such as gene therapies to upregulate klotho expression, or delivery of recombinant protein fragments of the full klotho molecule, that might at some point result in ways to enhance cognitive function in humans, old and young alike. Klotho is known to be closely related to FGF23, and research into this relationship has uncovered roles for klotho throughout the body, in many organs. This popular science article focuses on the brain however, covering research results suggesting that the influence of klotho on cognitive function might be quite circuitous and indirect, involving other organs in the body. This isn't an unreasonable suggestion - it is certainly the case in other, better known systems of regulation. The longevity gene klotho keeps memory keen, but how? New research raises the possibility that it might influence cognition through its signaling partners FGF23 and the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor. Researchers recently reported that mice lacking FGF23 have memory problems similar to those seen in klotho knockouts. Meanwhile, another group reported that older people with high levels of FGF23 in...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs