title: Significance of the anti-aging protein Klotho.
abstract: The Klotho gene was identified as an 'aging suppressor' in mice. Overexpression of the Klotho gene extends lifespan and defective Klotho results in rapid aging and early death. Both the membrane and secreted forms of Klotho have biological activity that include regulatory effects on general metabolism and a more specific effect on mineral metabolism that correlates with its effect on aging. Klotho serves as a co-receptor for fibroblast growth factor (FGF), but it also functions as a humoral factor that regulates cell survival and proliferation, vitamin D metabolism, and calcium and phosphate homeostasis and may serve as a potential tumor suppressor. Moreover, Klotho protects against several pathogenic processes in a FGF23-independent manner. These processes include cancer metastasis, vascular calcification, and renal fibrosis. This review covers the recent advances in Klotho research and discusses novel Klotho-dependent mechanisms that are clinically relevant in aging and age-related diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry.
authors.forename: Miribane
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dërmaku-Sopjani
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kolgeci
authors.forename: Sokol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abazi
authors.forename: Mentor
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sopjani
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D000089703:Fibroblast Growth Factor-23; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D000090265:Klotho Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010710:Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: C000717427:FGF23 protein, human; C000717428:Fgf23 protein, mouse; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010710:Phosphates; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D000089703:Fibroblast Growth Factor-23; D005966:Glucuronidase; D000090265:Klotho Proteins; D002118:Calcium