Gerontology research in Georgia.
Gerontology research carried out in different scientific centers of Georgia follows the basic directions of most work in this field: epidemiology, investigation of the mechanisms of aging, and finding ways to prevent senile pathologies and to prolong life. The genealogy and epidemiology of long-living peaple have been studied in areas with high occurrence of these people by considering the sex ratio and social status of the long-living, the influence of environmental factors, and the development of senile pathologies. According to the centrosome (centriole) model of aging, the centrosomes and the cytoskeleton, important structures in cellular differentiation and morphogenesis, may be involved in the initiation of the replication senescence mechanism. Our analysis of genetic studies shows that progressive chromosome heterochromatinization (condensation of eu- and heterochromatin regions) occurs in aging. Decreases in the repair processes and increases in the frequency of chromosome aberrations during aging are secondary to this progressive chromosome heterochromatinization. Chromosome heterochromatinization is a key factor in aging but may be reversible under the influence of bioregulators, some chemical substances, and heavy metal salts. The study of chromosome heterochromatinization may provide clues to the potential for prolonging the human lifespan.
Lezhava
Teimuraz
T
Department of Genetics, Tbilisi State University, Georgia. lezhavat@yahoo.com
Monaselidze
Jamlet
J
Jokhadze
Tina
T
Kakauridze
Nona
N
Khodeli
Nodar
N
Rogava
Mamanti
M
Bochorishvili
Tamara
T
Gorgoshidze
Maia
M
Khachidze
Dato
D
Lomidze
Eteri
E
Tkemaladze
Jaba
J
Chichinadze
Kote
K
Koridze
Marina
M
Khukhuneishvili
Rusudan
R
Zosidze
Nato
N
Nagervadze
Marina
M
Buadze
Tamara
T
Gaiozishvili
Maia
M
D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics; D018385:Centrosome; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004260:DNA Repair; D005846:Georgia (Republic); D005853:Geriatrics; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D012106:Research
D006570:Heterochromatin