Identification of clk-1 and shows that clk-1 gene complements the clk-1 phenotype and restores normal longevity

摘要

A clk-1 gene which has a function at the level of cellular physiology and is involved in developmental rate and longevity, wherein the gene codes for a protein having a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID:15 and 16, wherein reducing the expression of or overexpressing the activity of clk-1 causes an altered cellular metabolism relative to the wild type. Wherein, reduced expression results in an increase of life span and a slowing down of developmental and behavioral rates and overexpression results in an acceleration of developmental and behavioral rates. There is also provided a method for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of cancer in a patient, which comprises the steps of: a) obtaining a tissue sample from the patient; b) analysing DNA of the obtained tissue sample of step a) to determine if the human clk-1 gene is altered, wherein alteration of the human clk-1 gene is indicative of cancer. There is also provided a method of treatment of pathological conditions causing slowdown of physiological rate of tissue and/or organ in a patient.