In a novel study, researchers claim to have identified a gene
linked to human kidney aging. Kidneys age at different rates,
such that some people show little or no effects of kidney aging
whereas others show rapid functional decline. Determining
genetic factors associated with different rates of kidney aging
can help researchers understand the molecular mechanisms
underlying human aging process. Lead researcher Dr. Stuart Kim
used genome-wide transcriptional profiling to determine that 630
genes change expression with age in kidney tissue. They further
found that 101 of these age-regulated genes contain DNA
variations among individuals that associate with gene expression
level. gene that encodes an extracellular matrix protein (MMP20)
was revealed to be significantly associated with kidney aging,
providing the first gene association with kidney aging. The
researchers suggest that more aging genes are discovered and
confirmed, the particular genetic variants belonging to a person
could one day be combined to b