Longevity, genes, and aging

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We all know we age and get older but do we really understand why this is happening? Genetics is one of the two major factors of aging (environment being the other) and has revealed to us through research the importance of metabolic capacity, resistance to stress, integrity of gene regulation, and genetic stability of longevity.
The key gene that creates a balance between these life processes is maintained by the RAS2 gene (which also channels cellular resources among them). This gene not only collaborates with mitochondria and PHB1 in metabolic adjustments for longevity but also regulates stress responses. So one would think that if this RAS2 gene is one of the biggest factors in aging, why not give people more RAS2, resulting in a longer life span? Just like anything else in the world, too much of a good thing results in a bad thing or as the saying goes, “everything in moderation”. Having too much RAS activity abrogates the life extension. There must be an optimal level of RAS2 activity for the maximal life span to occur. Obtaining the optimal level of RAS2 for each individual is determined by the genetic background, epigenetic and environmental demands to which the individual is subjected to.
The RAS2 gene also works alongside with PHB1 gene that is involved with metabolic capacity. Studies have suggested that mitochondria, PHB1, and RAS2 partake in metabolic adjustments that are essential for longevity. These genes work together to signal a decreasing requirement for mitochondrial activity.
The RAS2 gene has been proven to be a main factor in the regulation of stress responses. RAS2 gene is important for the switching between different cellular states, and growth vs. response to stress. Although most people view stress as bad, and in most cases stress is bad, certain kinds of stress actually induce pathways, improving their fitness. Just as said before, too much of anything is a bad thing but everything in moderation is always good.
Other factors in the body also influence aging, such as transcriptional silencing. During aging, transcriptional silencing of heterochromatic regions of the genome is lost suggesting that gene dysregulation accompanies the aging process. Research has found that the gene CDC7 plays a role in silencing but RAS2 modulates it. Aging possesses features of nonlinear processes which RAS2 also has a role in.
Research has shown that much of aging is contributed to the RAS2 gene and its factors. I believe that we have come a long way in technology and research to start figuring out the body’s processes and what genes affect what processes. I find it fascinating that one gene can affect so many different genes and other processes in the body. I believe that we should continue to research the affects of different genes and learn how to influence them into doing what we want them to do, like aging more slowly. Genes are very under developed and I believe with more research and experiments we will learn a lot more about genes and how they can help us in life.