senescence tagged posts

Study identifies RNA molecule that Regulates Cellular Aging

SNORA13 (red) in the nucleus of senescent human cells
This shows SNORA13 (red) in the nucleus of senescent human cells within a specialized structure called the nucleolus where ribosomes are assembled. DNA is stained in blue.

A team led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers has discovered a new way that cells regulate senescence, an irreversible end to cell division. The findings, published in Cell, could one day lead to new interventions for a variety of conditions associated with aging, including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, as well as new therapies for a collection of diseases known as ribosomopathies.

“There is great interest in reducing senescence to slow or reverse aging or aging-associated diseases...

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Exposure to Pollutants, Increased Free-radical Damage speeds up Aging

blooming rose, dying rose
A new study by WVU School of Medicine researcher Eric Kelley suggests that unrepaired DNA damage can increase the speed of aging. Kelley and his colleagues genetically modified mice to remove a crucial DNA-repair protein from some of their stem cells. Without this protein, the mice were unable to fix damaged DNA accrued in their immune cells. By the time the genetically modified mice were 5 months old, they resembled a regular two-year-old mouse. For context, a two-year-old mouse is similar in age to an 80-year-old human. (WVU Illustration/Aira Burkhart)

A new study suggests that unrepaired DNA damage can increase the speed of aging. Every day, our bodies face a bombardment of UV rays, ozone, cigarette smoke, industrial chemicals and other hazards.

This exposure can lead to free-rad...

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Protecting Ribosome Genes to Prevent Aging

In the absence of SIRT7, a human primary cell displays multiple nucleoli. DNA was stained with DAPI (turquoise) and nucleolus was stained with anti-fibrillarin (red).

In the absence of SIRT7, a human primary cell displays multiple nucleoli. DNA was stained with DAPI (turquoise) and nucleolus was stained with anti-fibrillarin (red).

Aging is a process of gradual deterioration from exposure to time and the elements; this process begins with deterioration deep inside every cell. Researchers from Stanford University and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) have identified a protein that guards cells against senescence – aging-related problems – by protecting a particularly vulnerable set of genes. The study is published in the July 13 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

The genes that encode components of the ribosome – the protein-making machine of the cell – are abundant and constantly in use...

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Cellular Process behind Premature Aging discovered

Gene diagram

Spinster homolog 1 (Drosophila) SPNS1

In a new study, TSRI, Florida scientists have shown how 2 genes “balance” each other to maintain normal cell function. A disruption in one of the genes, called spns1, can induce degradation and premature “senescence” – or aging – while the other gene, called atp6v0ca, can jump in to suppress that degradation. Their experiments in zebrafish suggest that these combined genetic disruptions can counteract premature aging and extend developmental lifespan.

“We found that the dual defects did indeed counteract senescence during development and extended the animal’s survival and life span,” said TSRI Associate Professor Shuji Kishi...

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