Abstract
Increased longevity has been achieved by genetic and environmental manipulations in model organisms, from nematodes to mammals. Genes that can extend life span when altered are referred to as “gerontogenes.” The last several years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of identified gerontogenes (approximately seventy-four). The vast majority of these genes have been identified in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. These genes include age-1 (a phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase gene) and daf-2 (an insulin-like receptor gene), as well as genes mediating behavior, metabolism, reproduction and sensory perception. age-1 and daf-2 play a role in a hormonal signaling cascade similar to the mammalian insulin / IGF-1 pathways. The age-1 / daf-2 signal functions to shorten life span and repress the positive regulators of life span, daf-16 and old-1. Similarly, studies of Dwarf mice indicate that the growth hormone-IGF-1 axis may play a role in regulating longevity. Signals from certain tissues, such as sensory neurons and gonads, also regulate life span in C. elegans. The gonadal signal is dependent on the daf-9 cytochrome P450 gene and the daf-12 steroid receptor gene, implicating roles of steroid hormones in longevity. Moreover, increased resistance to intrinsic and environmental stresses [heat, UV, and reactive oxygen species (ROS)] has been shown to be intimately related to increased longevity in a variety of species. ROS scavengers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and SOD mimetics, can extend life span in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and in C. elegans, respectively. We suggest that environmental and intrinsic stresses, depending on the evolutionary niche occupied by the species, are key factors that control life span and aging. In summary, cellular signals regulate systemic mechanisms that play a role in stress resistance and also affect longevity.
Current Genomics
Title: Regulation of Life Span in Model Organisms
Volume: 4 Issue: 1
Author(s): Shin Murakami and Thomas E. Johnson
Affiliation:
Abstract: Increased longevity has been achieved by genetic and environmental manipulations in model organisms, from nematodes to mammals. Genes that can extend life span when altered are referred to as “gerontogenes.” The last several years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of identified gerontogenes (approximately seventy-four). The vast majority of these genes have been identified in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. These genes include age-1 (a phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase gene) and daf-2 (an insulin-like receptor gene), as well as genes mediating behavior, metabolism, reproduction and sensory perception. age-1 and daf-2 play a role in a hormonal signaling cascade similar to the mammalian insulin / IGF-1 pathways. The age-1 / daf-2 signal functions to shorten life span and repress the positive regulators of life span, daf-16 and old-1. Similarly, studies of Dwarf mice indicate that the growth hormone-IGF-1 axis may play a role in regulating longevity. Signals from certain tissues, such as sensory neurons and gonads, also regulate life span in C. elegans. The gonadal signal is dependent on the daf-9 cytochrome P450 gene and the daf-12 steroid receptor gene, implicating roles of steroid hormones in longevity. Moreover, increased resistance to intrinsic and environmental stresses [heat, UV, and reactive oxygen species (ROS)] has been shown to be intimately related to increased longevity in a variety of species. ROS scavengers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and SOD mimetics, can extend life span in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and in C. elegans, respectively. We suggest that environmental and intrinsic stresses, depending on the evolutionary niche occupied by the species, are key factors that control life span and aging. In summary, cellular signals regulate systemic mechanisms that play a role in stress resistance and also affect longevity.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Murakami Shin and Johnson E. Thomas, Regulation of Life Span in Model Organisms, Current Genomics 2003; 4 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389202033350137
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389202033350137 |
Print ISSN 1389-2029 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5488 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Current Genomics in Cardiovascular Research
Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the world, in recent years we have had important advances in the interaction between cardiovascular disease and genomics. In this Research Topic, we intend for researchers to present their results with a focus on basic, translational and clinical investigations associated with ...read more
Deep learning in Single Cell Analysis
The field of biology is undergoing a revolution in our ability to study individual cells at the molecular level, and to integrate data from multiple sources and modalities. This has been made possible by advances in technologies for single-cell sequencing, multi-omics profiling, spatial transcriptomics, and high-throughput imaging, as well as ...read more
New insights on Pediatric Tumors and Associated Cancer Predisposition Syndromes
Because of the broad spectrum of children cancer susceptibility, the diagnosis of cancer risk syndromes in children is rarely used in direct cancer treatment. The field of pediatric cancer genetics and genomics will only continue to expand as a result of increasing use of genetic testing tools. It's possible that ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
A Valuable Animal Model of Spinal Cord Injury to Study Motor Dysfunctions, Comorbid Conditions, and Aging Associated Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Leptin- and Leptin Receptor-Deficient Rodent Models: Relevance for Human Type 2 Diabetes
Current Diabetes Reviews Systemic Approach to the Study of Complex Bone Disorders at the Whole- Genome Level
Current Genomics Targeting the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/AKT Pathway for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
Current Medicinal Chemistry PPAR Activity in the Vessel Wall: Anti-Atherogenic Properties
Current Medicinal Chemistry An Overview on the Importance of Combining Complementary Analytical Platforms in Metabolomic Research
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Synthesis and SAR Studies of Urea and Thiourea Derivatives of Gly/Pro Conjugated to Piperazine Analogue as Potential AGE Inhibitors
Protein & Peptide Letters Emerging Trends On Drug Delivery Strategy of Momordica charantia against Diabetes and its Complications
Current Drug Delivery When Cells Become a Drug. Endothelial Progenitor Cells for Cardiovascular Therapy: Aims and Reality
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Role of Genetic Factors in Statins Side-Effects
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Meet Our Regional Editor:
Protein & Peptide Letters Tea and Health: Studies in Humans
Current Pharmaceutical Design Natural Polyphenols and their Synthetic Analogs as Emerging Anticancer Agents
Current Drug Targets Estrogen Receptor Alpha: Impact of Ligands on Intracellular Shuttling and Turnover Rate in Breast Cancer Cells
Current Cancer Drug Targets Angiotensin II-Induced Signaling Pathways in Diabetes
Current Diabetes Reviews Lysosomal Storage Diseases and the Blood-Brain Barrier
Current Pharmaceutical Design Investigating the Associations between Mediterranean Diet, Physical Activity and Living Environment with Childhood Asthma using Path Analysis
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Updates on Genome-Wide Association Findings in Eating Disorders and Future Application to Precision Medicine
Current Neuropharmacology Diagnosis, Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Targets in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 5-Benzylidene-3,4-dihalo-furan-2-one derivatives inhibit human leukemia cancer cells through suppression of NF-κB and GSK-3β
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry