My laboratory has been focused on elucidating the function of the Klotho gene. The Klotho gene was originally identified as a gene mutated in a mouse strain that exhibits a syndrome resembling human aging, including a shortened lifespan, skin atrophy, muscle atrophy, neuronal degeneration, arteriosclerosis, osteoporosis, and...

Studies in model organisms such as C. elegans have provided significant insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying aging. The insulin-like daf-2 signaling pathway and dietary restriction regulate aging in C. elegans and other species. However, their downstream cellular targets are largely unknown. Recent...