Longevity, genes, and aging: a view provided by a genetic model system.
The genetic analysis of aging in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has revealed the importance of metabolic capacity, resistance to stress, integrity of gene regulation, and genetic stability for longevity. A balance between these life maintenance processes is sustained by the RAS2 gene, which channels cellular resources among them. This gene cooperates with mitochondria and PHB1 in metabolic adjustments important for longevity. It also modulates stress responses. Transcriptional silencing of heterochromatic regions of the genome is lost during aging, suggesting that gene dysregulation accompanies the aging process. There is evidence that this age change plays a causal role. Aging possesses features of a nonlinear process, and it is likely that application of nonlinear system methodology to aging will be productive.
Jazwinski
S M
SM
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112, USA.
D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics*; D000091402:Prohibitins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D005656:Fungal Proteins; C000717328:PHB protein, human; D000091402:Prohibitins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D000242:Cyclic AMP; C489015:RAS2 protein, S cerevisiae; D018631:ras Proteins