Apr. 6, 2001 PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Scientists have provided the
first evidence of a hormone-based aging mechanism they suggest
may promote long life in species ranging from roundworms to
humans. The mechanism begins in the brain with a mutant gene
that suppresses the release of hormones that prompt rapid aging.
“This is the first evidence of the way this aging mechanism
works,” said lead investigator Marc Tatar, of Brown University.
“It appears that aging is hormonally regulated, with a brain-
based pathway that affects general hormones that come from a
pituitary-like system.” The researchers studied a gene with
function in the brain and other cells, called an insulin-like
receptor (InR). The gene is analogous to those in species from
top to bottom of the animal kingdom. Fly InR responds to a form
of insulin. As a result, brain cells tell a thyroid- or
pituitary-like system to release a second hormone called
juvenile hormone. This compound circulates in the body,
unleashing a chain of other events that trigger re