Ageing, gerontogenes, and hormesis.
Evolutionary theories of ageing and longevity argue against the existence of specific genes that cause ageing. However, genes whose altered activity influences ageing and longevity, may be termed gerontogenes. Several putative gerontogenes have been identified in various ageing systems, including the Drosophila, budding yeast, nematodes and cells in culture. Since ageing is characterized by a progressive failure of maintenance and repair, it is reasoned that genes involved in homeodynamic repair pathways are the most likely candidate gerontogenes. A promising approach for the identification of critical gerontogenic processes is hormesis-like positive effects of stress. Stimulation of various repair pathways by mild stress has significant effects on delaying the onset of various age-associated alterations in cells, tissues and organisms.
Danish Centre for Molecular Gerontology, Laboratory of Cellular Ageing, Department of Molecular and Structural Biology, University of Aarhus, Gustav Wieds Vej, DK-8000 Aarhus-C, Denmark. rattan@imsb.au.dk
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D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics; D005544:Forecasting; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D005796:Genes; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D017344:Genes, Insect; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics