Scientists at Linköping University in Sweden have found that the number of mutations that contribute to age-related changes can be significantly higher than previously thought. The proof of the new theory about the causes of aging is reported in an article published in the journal BMC Biology.
Researchers conducted experiments using Drosophila melanogaster flies, introducing 20 different mutations in the insect's DNA. The effect of each individual mutation was evaluated for the group of flies with the genetic modification and the control group without it. Each mutation led to a certain visible effect, for example, a change in the appearance of the wings or a different shape of the eyes. The degree of aging was determined by fertility.
Most of the mutations negatively affected the fertility of fruit flies at an early age, and most of the genetic changes also resulted in a faster aging of the reproductive system.
The study results support the theory that aging is caused by mutations with deleterious effects at an early age, the negative effects of which increase over time.
