Cell Aging: Molecular Mechanisms and Implications for Disease

by Christian Behl, Christine Ziegler

Overview

Aging represents a physiological and per se non-pathological and multifactorial process involving a set of key genes and mechanisms being triggered by different endogenous and exogenous factors. Since aging is a major risk factor in connection with a variety of human disorders, it is increasingly becoming a central topic in biochemical and medical research. The plethora of theories on aging – some of which have been discussed for decades – are neither isolated nor contradictory but instead can be connected in a network of pathways and processes at the cellular and molecular levels. This book summarizes the most prominent and important approaches, focusing on telomeres, DNA damage and oxidative stress as well as on the possible role of nutrition, the interplay between genes and environment (epigenetics) and intracellular protein homeostasis and introduces some genes that have actually extended life spans in animal models. Linking these different determinants of aging with disease, this volume aims to reveal their multiple interdependencies. We see that there is no single “perfect” theory of aging and that instead it is possible to define what the authors call the molecular aging matrix of the cell. A better knowledge of its key mechanisms and the mutual connections between its components will lead to a better understanding of age-associated disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783642451782
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	12/18/2013
Series:	SpringerBriefs in Molecular Medicine
Edition description:	2014
Pages:	108
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.01(d)

Table of Contents

1. Aging and cell aging: an introduction

            1.1. Organ systems affected by aging

            1.2. Age-associated functional alterations

References

2. Cell cycle: the life cycle of a cell

            2.1. Phases of the cell cycle

            2.2. About cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases: proteins that trigger cell cycle                       phases

            2.3. Better save than sorry: the complex control of the cell cycle

            2.4. Last exit apoptosis

References

3. Theories and mechanisms of aging

            3.1. The telomere theory of aging

            3.2. The DNA damage theory of aging

            3.3. The sirtuins - ultimate hope or fallen star?

            3.4. The impact of caloric restriction on life span

            3.5. Genes that extend life in animal models

            3.6. Free radical theory of aging

            3.7. Protein quality control and aging

            3.8. Epigenetics

            3.9. A holistic view:the molecular aging matrix

References

4. Selected age-related disorders

            4.1. Age:  the key risk factor for Alzheimers disease (AD)

            4.2. The common biology of aging and cancer: senescence as cancer protection

References

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Ellen Mary Andrews, Ph.D.(Midwestern University)
Description: This primer on mechanisms of cellular aging includes an overview of the cell cycle, as well as various theories of aging and key age-related diseases.
Purpose: Although the authors do not state a purpose, the book would be useful for someone new to the field of aging or as background for a graduate student seminar course.
Audience: It is appropriate for graduate students of the biomedical sciences, as well as scientists new to the field of aging. The authors are knowledgeable and present the material well.
Features: This is a good introduction to the field of cell aging. The authors review the importance of studying cell aging, the basic cell cycle, and how aging impacts the cell cycle, mechanisms of cell aging, and key diseases associated with aging. The chapter, "Theories and Mechanisms of Aging," is a thorough review of the many mechanisms of aging. The figures are particularly helpful in demonstrating the concepts discussed in the text. The third chapter is dense and covers a lot of ground. Breaking this chapter up into several, smaller chapters would be helpful to readers, especially since there is no index.
Assessment: This book provides a thorough, yet brief, review of cell aging through discussions of various mechanisms of aging and age-related diseases and would be useful for a graduate student symposium or newcomers to the field of cell aging.

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