The plasticity of aging: insights from long-lived mutants.
Mutations in genes affecting endocrine signaling, stress responses, metabolism, and telomeres can all increase the life spans of model organisms. These mutations have revealed evolutionarily conserved pathways for aging, some of which appear to extend life span in response to sensory cues, caloric restriction, or stress. Many mutations affecting longevity pathways delay age-related disease, and the molecular analysis of these pathways is leading to a mechanistic understanding of how these two processes--aging and disease susceptibility--are linked.
Kenyon
Cynthia
C
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA. ckenyon@biochem.ucsf.edu
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D007328:Insulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D009154:Mutation / Q000502:physiology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
D007328:Insulin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I