Daf-16

DAF-16 is part of a group of genes that drive the biological processes involved in ageing, immunity and responses to physical or environmental stresses. The fact that subtle differences in DAF-16 between species seem to have such an impact on ageing and health may explain how differences in lifespan and related traits may also have arisen during evolution.

DAF-16 is strongly involved in determining the rate of ageing and average lifespan of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Homologues of DAF-16 are found in many other animals, including humans (where it is known as FOXO3).

See also

• Daf-2
• Cynthia Kenyon

References

1. Amrit FRG, Boehnisch CML, May RC. Phenotypic Covariance of Longevity, Immunity and Stress Resistance in the Caenorhabditis Nematodes. PLoS ONE, 2010; 5 (4): e9978 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009978
2. Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (2010, April 2). Aging gene found to govern lifespan, immunity and resilience. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 29, 2010, from