Do Changes in Chromosomes Cause Aging?
July 1996
in “
Cell
”
chromosomes aging genetic factors epigenetic factors Werner's Syndrome WRN gene premature aging accumulated damage genetic programming model organisms Drosophila C. elegans yeast cellular-level processes oxidative damage telomere shortening loss of silencing DNA damage genes fruit flies roundworms baker's yeast cell damage chromosome changes
TLDR Chromosomal changes, including those in the WRN gene and rDNA, may significantly contribute to aging.
The document explored the hypothesis that changes in chromosomes might cause aging, focusing on genetic and epigenetic factors. It discussed Werner's Syndrome, caused by mutations in the WRN gene, which led to premature aging symptoms. The review examined two broad models of aging: accumulated damage and genetic programming. Evidence from model organisms like Drosophila, C. elegans, and yeast suggested that cellular-level processes, such as oxidative damage, telomere shortening, loss of silencing, and accumulated DNA damage, could contribute to aging. The document proposed that these mechanisms might be interconnected, with changes in chromosomes playing a central role in the aging process.
