Research focus on gene expression of low-cal diet

Investigations into benefits of low calorie diet lead scientists to
pinpoint the gene responsible for an increase in life span in flies
on calorie-restricted diet, paving the way to further elucidate the
health and longevity benefits of a low-calorie diet.

Scientists are aware that a low-calorie diet has positive health benefits in species as different as yeast and humans, but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms have not been well understood.

A new study by Stephen Helfand and Blanka Rogina at the University of Connecticut Health Center in the US reveals that Sir2 is responsible for an increase in life span in the fruit fly Drosophila on a calorie-restricted diet.

In Drosophila, calorie restriction has previously been linked to an increase in activity of the protein Sir2, which aids DNA packing and unpacking in the cell cycle.

The researchers created a mutant fly line overexpressing Sir2, that according to the study authors lived up to 57 per cent longer than control flies. Compounding their findings, although the researchers disrupted the Sir2 gene in normal flies they did not find an increase in life span when they put the flies on a low-calorie diet.

Full findings of the paper, Sir2 mediates longevity in the fly through a pathway related to calorie restriction​, are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences​, online early edition for the week of 25-29 October 2004.

Related topics Weight management

Related news

Related products

show more

MOROSIL:INGREDIENT OF THE YEAR

MOROSIL:INGREDIENT OF THE YEAR

Content provided by BIONAP BIOACTIVE NATURAL PRODUCTS | 07-Mar-2024 | Product Brochure

MOROSIL™ has won as Ingredient of the Year in the category Weight Management at 2023 Nutraingredient USA. MOROSIL ™ is a standardized extract derived from...

In Weight Management Go Beyond with Slendacor®

In Weight Management Go Beyond with Slendacor®

Content provided by PLT Health Solutions | 22-Feb-2024 | White Paper

Slendacor® is a synergistic, patented formulation of three standardized herbal extracts: turmeric (Curcuma longa), moringa (Moringa oleifera) and curry...

Polyphenol extracts as weight management catalysts

Polyphenol extracts as weight management catalysts

Content provided by DolCas Biotech, LLC. | 18-Jan-2024 | White Paper

Viable natural product options for "healthy weight management" in the age of Ozempic and other GLP-1 inhibitors will require targeted innovations...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars