According to the research article "Sex- and age-dependent genetics of longevity in a heterogeneous mouse population" there is no one gene that controls aging and life span but a variety that contribute along with environmental factors. UM-HET3 mice were used by the National Institute on Aging’s Interventions Testing Program in order to determine the correlation of genes, sex, age, and access to nutrition to longevity. On chromosome 12 a locus was found to have a direct impact on longevity when males and females were analyzed together. However, the females were analyzed separately it was found that a loci on chromosome three contributed to life span. In addition, many factors non genetic factors were confirmed contributors to shortening the life span of the mice like; litter size in females, body weight, and access to nutrients. Boston University's School of Medicine is working on a centenarian study which agrees with the fact that there are multiple genes that contribute to longevity in humans more specifically. They did find that lifestyle is a large contributing factor for lifespan. They found 281 genes that act as markers and predict the individual will live over a hundred years old. The research that is being done on longevity in humans and other mammals is showing how large of an impact lifestyle has on life span and how genetics due play a role in a longer life span.
I found both of these articles particularly interesting because of humans obsessions with aging and long life spans. Studies being done on how lifestyle impacts longevity could be very important for the age ranges that are not reaching sexual maturity in order to reproduce to maintain population. More specifically, this is important for individuals who do not live a healthy lifestyle to see how large of an impact it can have on one's life span.
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