The origin of aging: imperfectness-driven non-random damage defines the aging process and control of lifespan

Physicochemical properties preclude ideal biomolecules and perfect biological functions. This inherent imperfectness leads to the generation of damage by every biological process, at all levels, from small molecules to cells. The damage is too numerous to be repaired, is partially invisible to natur...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in genetics Vol. 29; no. 9; pp. 506 - 512
Main Author: Gladyshev, Vadim N.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2013
Subjects:
Aging - genetics
Aging - physiology
biochemical compounds
Biological Evolution
DNA Damage - physiology
genome
Genome, Human
Humans
longevity
Longevity - physiology
Medical Education
Models, Biological
natural selection
Oxidative Stress - genetics
physicochemical properties
process control
Selection, Genetic
ISSN:0168-9525
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Physicochemical properties preclude ideal biomolecules and perfect biological functions. This inherent imperfectness leads to the generation of damage by every biological process, at all levels, from small molecules to cells. The damage is too numerous to be repaired, is partially invisible to natural selection, and manifests as aging. I propose that the inherent imperfectness of biological systems is the true root of the aging process. Because each biomolecule generates specific forms of damage, the cumulative damage is largely non-random and is indirectly encoded in the genome. I consider this concept in light of other proposed theories of aging and integrate these disparate ideas into a single model. I also discuss the evolutionary significance of damage accumulation and strategies for reducing damage. Finally, I suggest ways to test this integrated model of aging.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:0168-9525
DOI:10.1016/j.tig.2013.05.004