When people talk about the klotho gene, they usually mean α-klotho, one of the better documented longevity-associated genes. It encodes a transmembrane protein, is expressed in a number of organs that sheds a portion of its structure to circulate in blood and tissues, interacting with other cells. In animal models artificially increased klotho expression improves late life health and life span while artificially diminished klotho expression worsens late life health and reduces life span. Interestingly, increased levels of klotho can improve cognitive function even in young animals. In humans, data shows the same…
Reviewing the Role of Klotho in Aging and Kidney Disease
When people talk about the klotho gene, they usually mean α-klotho, one of the better documented longevity-associated genes. It encodes a transmembrane protein, is expressed in a number of organs that sheds a portion of its structure to circulate in blood and tissues, interacting with other cells. In animal models artificially increased klotho expression improves late life health and life span while artificially diminished klotho expression worsens late life health and reduces life span. Interestingly, increased levels of klotho can improve cognitive function even in young animals. In humans, data shows the same…