Several genes that play a role in how human body's cells normally auto-destruct may play a role in age-related hearing loss, a new study on mice has said.
While more than 100 genes are known to play a role in congenital deafness, scientists have yet to pinpoint any gene in humans that plays a role in presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss.
Anti-Ageing and Benefits of Red Wine
Ageing process has always been an enigma. Recent research indicates that red wine could delay the process.
Advertisement
"It's very likely that multiple genes contribute to age-related hearing loss. We know the same is true for other diseases, for instance some types of cancer and heart disease," said Robert D. Frisina, Ph.D., the lead investigator and professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
To begin to understand the genetics of human hearing, the group charted the activity of more than 22,000 genes in mice, comparing young mice to their older counterparts.
![Human Growth Hormone]( "Human Growth Hormone")
Human growth hormone, otherwise known as somatotropin, stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and bone regeneration.
The team used two different methods to study gene expression. First, scientists put more than 300 genes through a broad gene-array study, looking at genes whose activity in the inner ear differed greatly between normal mice and those with hearing loss.
Then the researchers narrowed its focus to 35 such genes, employing a newer technique known as a PCR array to measure activity.
Through that test the researchers identified eight genes, all part of the apoptotic process, whose activity differed between the two groups.
Apoptosis itself is certainly nothing new. Such programmed cell death happens constantly - it's the body's way of getting rid of cells that are damaged or no longer needed.
When apoptosis happens, a cell's structure breaks up, and the cell disintegrates, with the cell "blebbing," or bulging outward, ultimately blowing apart.
It's a familiar process to scientists who know that it also happens as part of the course of many diseases. For instance, after a stroke, many brain cells perceive a threat - low oxygen - and "jump ship," killing themselves and dramatically worsening the effects of the stroke.
The new study, which is the first one to show that such activity also occurs in the aging inner ear, offers a potential new target as scientists work to find ways to stop age-related hearing loss, such as a drug that would stop cells from committing cell suicide as they age.
Besides genetics, other factors that play a role in presbycusis include sound exposure, medications that can damage hearing, the condition of the brain as it deteriorates with age, and changes in the delicate cells in the inner ear that translate a sound into a signal that the brain "hears."
The study is published online in the journal Apoptosis.
Source: ANI
RAS/SK
Human Growth Hormone
Human growth hormone, otherwise known as somatotropin, stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and bone regeneration.
Advertisement
The team used two different methods to study gene expression. First, scientists put more than 300 genes through a broad gene-array study, looking at genes whose activity in the inner ear differed greatly between normal mice and those with hearing loss.
Then the researchers narrowed its focus to 35 such genes, employing a newer technique known as a PCR array to measure activity.
Through that test the researchers identified eight genes, all part of the apoptotic process, whose activity differed between the two groups.
Apoptosis itself is certainly nothing new. Such programmed cell death happens constantly - it's the body's way of getting rid of cells that are damaged or no longer needed.
When apoptosis happens, a cell's structure breaks up, and the cell disintegrates, with the cell "blebbing," or bulging outward, ultimately blowing apart.
It's a familiar process to scientists who know that it also happens as part of the course of many diseases. For instance, after a stroke, many brain cells perceive a threat - low oxygen - and "jump ship," killing themselves and dramatically worsening the effects of the stroke.
The new study, which is the first one to show that such activity also occurs in the aging inner ear, offers a potential new target as scientists work to find ways to stop age-related hearing loss, such as a drug that would stop cells from committing cell suicide as they age.
Besides genetics, other factors that play a role in presbycusis include sound exposure, medications that can damage hearing, the condition of the brain as it deteriorates with age, and changes in the delicate cells in the inner ear that translate a sound into a signal that the brain "hears."
The study is published online in the journal Apoptosis.
Source: ANI
RAS/SK
Ageing and Sleep
Sleep is a barometer of good health in the elderly. Sleep problems in the elderly are controlled by various external and internal factors.
Advertisement
 Survey Finds Brits Want to Live Till 82Although Brits admit that they would like to live till the age of 82, a majority of them doubt whether they would be able to make it, according to new survey. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest Genetics & Stem Cells News
NGN-401 is a first ever new gene therapy discovered to cure a rare genetic brain disorder called Rett Syndrome.
Among MS patients, the stem cells showed a neuroprotective role, guarding nerve cells from further decline.
New possibilities for research on digestive diseases have been set by complete decoding of the Y chromosome.
UK has given the green light to the world's inaugural gene therapy for sickle-cell disease and thalassemia.
1 in 25 people had a genotype linked to short lifetime, which includes BRCA2 and LDLR genes, that reduced lifespan by seven years, and six years respectively.