Neuronal aging: learning from C. elegans.

Q2 Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Journal of Molecular Signaling Pub Date : 2013-12-10 DOI:10.1186/1750-2187-8-14

Chun-Hao Chen, Yen-Chih Chen, Hao-Ching Jiang, Chung-Kuan Chen, Chun-Liang Pan

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引用次数: 32

Abstract

The heterogeneity and multigenetic nature of nervous system aging make modeling of it a formidable task in mammalian species. The powerful genetics, simple anatomy and short life span of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans offer unique advantages in unraveling the molecular genetic network that regulates the integrity of neuronal structures and functions during aging. In this review, we first summarize recent breakthroughs in the morphological and functional characterization of C. elegans neuronal aging. Age-associated morphological changes include age-dependent neurite branching, axon beading or swelling, axon defasciculation, progressive distortion of the neuronal soma, and early decline in presynaptic release function. We then discuss genetic pathways that modulate the speed of neuronal aging concordant with alteration in life span, such as insulin signaling, as well as cell-autonomous factors that promote neuronal integrity during senescence, including membrane activity and JNK/MAPK signaling. As a robust genetic model for aging, insights from C. elegans neuronal aging studies will contribute to our mechanistic understanding of human brain aging.

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神经元老化:从秀丽隐杆线虫学习。

神经系统衰老的异质性和多遗传特性使得在哺乳动物物种中建立神经系统衰老模型成为一项艰巨的任务。秀丽隐杆线虫强大的遗传学，简单的解剖结构和短暂的寿命为揭示调节衰老过程中神经元结构和功能完整性的分子遗传网络提供了独特的优势。本文首先综述了线虫神经元衰老的形态学和功能表征方面的最新进展。与年龄相关的形态学改变包括年龄依赖性的神经突分支、轴突珠状或肿胀、轴突去血循环、神经元体的进行性扭曲以及突触前释放功能的早期下降。然后，我们讨论了与寿命改变相一致的调节神经元衰老速度的遗传途径，如胰岛素信号，以及在衰老过程中促进神经元完整性的细胞自主因子，包括膜活性和JNK/MAPK信号。秀丽隐杆线虫神经元衰老研究作为一种强大的衰老遗传模型，将有助于我们对人类大脑衰老机制的理解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Molecular Signaling Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology-Biochemistry

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期刊介绍： Journal of Molecular Signaling is an open access, peer-reviewed online journal that encompasses all aspects of molecular signaling. Molecular signaling is an exponentially growing field that encompasses different molecular aspects of cell signaling underlying normal and pathological conditions. Specifically, the research area of the journal is on the normal or aberrant molecular mechanisms involving receptors, G-proteins, kinases, phosphatases, and transcription factors in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and oncogenesis in mammalian cells. This area also covers the genetic and epigenetic changes that modulate the signaling properties of cells and the resultant physiological conditions.