1
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Aquino LVCD, Olindo SL, Silva YLFE, Oliveira LRMD, Moura YBF, Rodrigues ALR, Praxedes ÉA, Oliveira MFD, Silva AR, Pereira AF. Cryopreservation and passaging optimization for Galea spixii (Wagler, 1831) adult skin fibroblast lines: A step forward in species management and genetic studies. Acta Histochem 2024; 126:152185. [PMID: 39059228 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2024.152185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In vitro culture of fibroblasts is a technique based on cell isolation, physiological characterization, and cryopreservation. This technique has not been described for Galea spixii, therefore, it can be used to learn about its cellular biology and genetic diversity. OBJECTIVE We established fibroblast lines of six G. spixii individuals from several passages (second, fifth, eighth, and tenth) and cryopreserved them. METHODS Fibroblasts recovered from skin biopsies were identified based on morphology, immunocytochemistry, and karyotyping. The cells were analyzed for morphology, ultrastructure, viability, proliferation, metabolism, oxidative stress, bioenergetic potential, and apoptosis before and after cryopreservation. RESULTS After the eighth passage, the fibroblasts showed morphological and karyotypic changes, although their viability, metabolism, and proliferation did not change. An increase in oxidative stress and bioenergetic potential from the fifth to the eighth passages were also observed. Post cryopreservation, cell damage with respect to the ultrastructure, viability, proliferative rate, apoptotic levels, oxidative stress, and bioenergetic potential were verified. CONCLUSION Fibroblasts up to the tenth passage could be cultured in vitro. However, cells at the fifth passage were of better quality to be used for reproductive techniques. Additionally, optimization of the cryopreservation protocol is essential to improve the physiological parameters of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samara Lima Olindo
- Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid, Mossoró, RN, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | - Érika Almeida Praxedes
- Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid, Mossoró, RN, Brazil. erikaalmeida-@hotmail.com
| | - Moacir Franco de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Applied Animal Morphophysiology, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid, Mossoró, RN, Brazil.
| | - Alexandre Rodrigues Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasma Conservation, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid, Mossoró, RN, Brazil.
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2
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Gao H, Nepovimova E, Adam V, Heger Z, Valko M, Wu Q, Kuca K. Age-associated changes in innate and adaptive immunity: role of the gut microbiota. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1421062. [PMID: 39351234 PMCID: PMC11439693 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1421062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is generally regarded as an irreversible process, and its intricate relationship with the immune system has garnered significant attention due to its profound implications for the health and well-being of the aging population. As people age, a multitude of alterations occur within the immune system, affecting both innate and adaptive immunity. In the realm of innate immunity, aging brings about changes in the number and function of various immune cells, including neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. Additionally, certain immune pathways, like the cGAS-STING, become activated. These alterations can potentially result in telomere damage, the disruption of cytokine signaling, and impaired recognition of pathogens. The adaptive immune system, too, undergoes a myriad of changes as age advances. These include shifts in the number, frequency, subtype, and function of T cells and B cells. Furthermore, the human gut microbiota undergoes dynamic changes as a part of the aging process. Notably, the interplay between immune changes and gut microbiota highlights the gut's role in modulating immune responses and maintaining immune homeostasis. The gut microbiota of centenarians exhibits characteristics akin to those found in young individuals, setting it apart from the microbiota observed in typical elderly individuals. This review delves into the current understanding of how aging impacts the immune system and suggests potential strategies for reversing aging through interventions in immune factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Gao
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Zbynek Heger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Marian Valko
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Qinghua Wu
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czechia
- Andalusian Research Institute in Data Science and Computational Intelligence (DaSCI), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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3
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Li CZ, Haghani A, Yan Q, Lu AT, Zhang J, Fei Z, Ernst J, Yang XW, Gladyshev VN, Robeck TR, Chavez AS, Cook JA, Dunnum JL, Raj K, Seluanov A, Gorbunova V, Horvath S. Epigenetic predictors of species maximum life span and other life-history traits in mammals. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm7273. [PMID: 38848365 PMCID: PMC11160467 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm7273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
By analyzing 15,000 samples from 348 mammalian species, we derive DNA methylation (DNAm) predictors of maximum life span (R = 0.89), gestation time (R = 0.96), and age at sexual maturity (R = 0.85). Our maximum life-span predictor indicates a potential innate longevity advantage for females over males in 17 mammalian species including humans. The DNAm maximum life-span predictions are not affected by caloric restriction or partial reprogramming. Genetic disruptions in the somatotropic axis such as growth hormone receptors have an impact on DNAm maximum life span only in select tissues. Cancer mortality rates show no correlation with our epigenetic estimates of life-history traits. The DNAm maximum life-span predictor does not detect variation in life span between individuals of the same species, such as between the breeds of dogs. Maximum life span is determined in part by an epigenetic signature that is an intrinsic species property and is distinct from the signatures that relate to individual mortality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caesar Z. Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, PA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amin Haghani
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Altos Labs, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Qi Yan
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Altos Labs, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ake T. Lu
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Altos Labs, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Joshua Zhang
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Zhe Fei
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Statistics, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Jason Ernst
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - X. William Yang
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vadim N. Gladyshev
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Todd R. Robeck
- Zoological Operations, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Inc., Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Andreas S. Chavez
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Translational Data Analytics Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Joseph A. Cook
- Department of Biology and Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jonathan L. Dunnum
- Department of Biology and Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Andrei Seluanov
- Departments of Biology and Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Vera Gorbunova
- Departments of Biology and Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Steve Horvath
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Altos Labs, San Diego, CA, USA
- Altos Labs, Cambridge, UK
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4
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Henriques CM, Ferreira MG. Telomere length is an epigenetic trait - Implications for the use of telomerase-deficient organisms to model human disease. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050581. [PMID: 38441152 PMCID: PMC10941657 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Telomere length, unlike most genetic traits, is epigenetic, in the sense that it is not fully coded by the genome. Telomeres vary in length and randomly assort to the progeny leaving some individuals with longer and others with shorter telomeres. Telomerase activity counteracts this by extending telomeres in the germline and during embryogenesis but sizeable variances remain in telomere length. This effect is exacerbated by the absence of fully active telomerase. Telomerase heterozygous animals (tert+/-) have reduced telomerase activity and their telomeres fail to be elongated to wild-type average length, meaning that - with every generation - they decrease. After a given number of successive generations of telomerase-insufficient crosses, telomeres become critically short and cause organismal defects that, in humans, are known as telomere biology disorders. Importantly, these defects also occur in wild-type (tert+/+) animals derived from such tert+/- incrosses. Despite these tert+/+ animals being proficient for telomerase, they have shorter than average telomere length and, although milder, develop phenotypes that are similar to those of telomerase mutants. Here, we discuss the impact of this phenomenon on human pathologies associated with telomere length, provide a brief overview of telomere biology across species and propose specific measures for working with telomerase-deficient zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina M. Henriques
- The Bateson Centre, MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated Research Into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA) and Healthy Lifespan Institute (HELSI), School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Miguel Godinho Ferreira
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d‘Azur, 06107 Nice, France
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5
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Pepke ML. Telomere length is not a useful tool for chronological age estimation in animals. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300187. [PMID: 38047504 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are short repetitive DNA sequences capping the ends of chromosomes. Telomere shortening occurs during cell division and may be accelerated by oxidative damage or ameliorated by telomere maintenance mechanisms. Consequently, telomere length changes with age, which was recently confirmed in a large meta-analysis across vertebrates. However, based on the correlation between telomere length and age, it was concluded that telomere length can be used as a tool for chronological age estimation in animals. Correlation should not be confused with predictability, and the current data and studies suggest that telomeres cannot be used to reliably predict individual chronological age. There are biological reasons for why there is large individual variation in telomere dynamics, which is mainly due to high susceptibility to a wide range of environmental, but also genetic factors, rendering telomeres unfeasible as a tool for age estimation. The use of telomeres for chronological age estimation is largely a misguided effort, but its occasional reappearance in the literature raises concerns that it will mislead resources in wildlife conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Pepke
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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6
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Gómez‐Blanco D, Tobler M, Hasselquist D. Why and when should organisms elongate their telomeres? Elaborations on the 'excess resources elongation' and 'last resort elongation' hypotheses. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10825. [PMID: 38099139 PMCID: PMC10719541 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length and telomere shortening are thought to be critical cellular attributes and processes that are related to an individual's life span and fitness. The general pattern across most taxa is that after birth telomere length gradually decreases with age. Telomere protection and restoration mechanisms are usually assumed to reduce the rate of shortening or at most keep telomere length constant. However, here we have compiled a list of 26 articles showing that there is an increasing number of studies reporting apparent elongation of telomeres (i.e., a net increase in TL from timet to timet+1) often in a considerable proportion of the individuals studied. Moreover, the few studies which have studied telomere elongation in detail show that increases in telomere length are unlikely to be due to measurement error alone. In this article, we argue that episodes of telomere elongation deserve more attention as they could reflect individual strategies to optimise life histories and maximise fitness, which may not be reflected in the overall telomere dynamics patterns. We propose that patterns of telomere (net) elongation may be partly determined by other factors than those causing telomere shortening, and therefore deserve analyses specifically targeted to investigate the occurrence of telomere elongation. We elaborate on two ecological hypotheses that have been proposed to explain patterns of telomere elongation (the 'excess resources elongation' and the 'last resort elongation' hypothesis) and we discuss the current evidence for (or against) these hypotheses and propose ways to test them.
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7
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Yin F, Zhou Y, Xie D, Hu J, Luo X. Effects of nanomaterial exposure on telomere dysfunction, hallmarks of mammalian and zebrafish cell senescence, and zebrafish mortality. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102062. [PMID: 37673133 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Environmental and occupational exposure to hazardous substances accelerates biological aging. However, the toxic effects of nanomaterials on telomere and cellular senescence (major hallmarks of the biological aging) remained controversial. This study was to synthesize all published evidence to explore the effects of nanomaterial exposure on the telomere change, cellular senescence and mortality of model animals. Thirty-five studies were included by searching electronic databases (PubMed, Embase and Web of Science). The pooled analysis by Stata 15.0 software showed that compared with the control, nanomaterial exposure could significantly shorten the telomere length [measured as kbp: standardized mean difference (SMD) = -1.88; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -3.13 - - 0.64; % of control: SMD = -1.26; 95%CI = -2.11- - 0.42; < 3 kbp %: SMD = 5.76; 95%CI = 2.92 - 8.60), increase the telomerase activity (SMD = -1.00; 95%CI = -1.74 to -0.26), senescence-associated β-galactosidase levels in cells (SMD = 8.20; 95%CI = 6.05 - 10.34) and zebrafish embryos (SMD = 7.32; 95%CI = 4.70 - 9.94) as well as the mortality of zebrafish (SMD = 3.83; 95%CI = 2.94 - 4.72)]. The expression levels of telomerase TERT, shelterin components (TRF1, TRF2 and POT1) and senescence biomarkers (p21, p16) were respectively identified to be decreased or increased in subgroup analyses. In conclusion, this meta-analysis demonstrates that nanomaterial exposure is associated with telomere attrition, cell senescence and organismal death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yin
- College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, 199 Ren-Ai Road, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- School of Textile Science and Engineering/State Key Laboratory of New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technology, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China.
| | - Dongli Xie
- College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, 199 Ren-Ai Road, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Jianchen Hu
- College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, 199 Ren-Ai Road, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xiaogang Luo
- College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, 199 Ren-Ai Road, Suzhou 215123, China.
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8
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Li X, Wang P, Pan Q, Liu G, Liu W, Omotoso O, Du J, Li Z, Yu Y, Huang Y, Zhu P, Li M, Zhou X. Chromosome-level Asian elephant genome assembly and comparative genomics of long-lived mammals reveal the common substitutions for cancer resistance. Aging Cell 2023; 22:e13917. [PMID: 37395176 PMCID: PMC10497851 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber), bats (e.g., genus Myotis), and elephants (family Elephantidae) are known as long-lived mammals and are assumed to be excellent cancer antagonists. However, whether there are common genetic changes underpinning cancer resistance in these long-lived species is yet to be fully established. Here, we newly generated a high-quality chromosome-level Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) genome and identified that the expanded gene families in elephants are involved in Ras-associated and base excision repair pathways. Moreover, we performed comparative genomic analyses of 12 mammals and examined genes with signatures of positive selection in elephants, naked mole rat, and greater horseshoe bat. Residues at positively selected sites of CDR2L and ALDH6A1 in these long-lived mammals enhanced the inhibition of tumor cell migration compared to those in short-lived relatives. Overall, our study provides a new genome resource and a preliminary survey of common genetic changes in long-lived mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanjing Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Pengcheng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyBeijingChina
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life SciencesNanjing Normal UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Qi Pan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Gaoming Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyBeijingChina
| | - Weiqiang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Olatunde Omotoso
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Juan Du
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Zihao Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yang Yu
- Division of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Yun Huang
- Division of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Pingfen Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyBeijingChina
| | - Meng Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyBeijingChina
| | - Xuming Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation BiologyInstitute of ZoologyBeijingChina
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Peka M, Balatsky V, Saienko A, Tsereniuk O. Bioinformatic analysis of the effect of SNPs in the pig TERT gene on the structural and functional characteristics of the enzyme to develop new genetic markers of productivity traits. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:487. [PMID: 37626279 PMCID: PMC10463782 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09592-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) plays a crucial role in synthesizing telomeric repeats that safeguard chromosomes from damage and fusion, thereby maintaining genome stability. Mutations in the TERT gene can lead to a deviation in gene expression, impaired enzyme activity, and, as a result, abnormal telomere shortening. Genetic markers of productivity traits in livestock can be developed based on the TERT gene polymorphism for use in marker-associated selection (MAS). In this study, a bioinformatic-based approach is proposed to evaluate the effect of missense single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the pig TERT gene on enzyme function and structure, with the prospect of developing genetic markers. RESULTS A comparative analysis of the coding and amino acid sequences of the pig TERT was performed with corresponding sequences of other species. The distribution of polymorphisms in the pig TERT gene, with respect to the enzyme's structural-functional domains, was established. A three-dimensional model of the pig TERT structure was obtained through homological modeling. The potential impact of each of the 23 missense SNPs in the pig TERT gene on telomerase function and stability was assessed using predictive bioinformatic tools utilizing data on the amino acid sequence and structure of pig TERT. CONCLUSIONS According to bioinformatic analysis of 23 missense SNPs of the pig TERT gene, a predictive effect of rs789641834 (TEN domain), rs706045634 (TEN domain), rs325294961 (TRBD domain) and rs705602819 (RTD domain) on the structural and functional parameters of the enzyme was established. These SNPs hold the potential to serve as genetic markers of productivity traits. Therefore, the possibility of their application in MAS should be further evaluated in associative analysis studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mykyta Peka
- Institute of Pig Breeding and Agroindustrial Production, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, 1 Shvedska Mohyla St, Poltava, 36013 Ukraine
- V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, 4 Svobody Sq, Kharkiv, 61022 Ukraine
| | - Viktor Balatsky
- Institute of Pig Breeding and Agroindustrial Production, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, 1 Shvedska Mohyla St, Poltava, 36013 Ukraine
- V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, 4 Svobody Sq, Kharkiv, 61022 Ukraine
| | - Artem Saienko
- Institute of Pig Breeding and Agroindustrial Production, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, 1 Shvedska Mohyla St, Poltava, 36013 Ukraine
| | - Oleksandr Tsereniuk
- Institute of Pig Breeding and Agroindustrial Production, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, 1 Shvedska Mohyla St, Poltava, 36013 Ukraine
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10
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Turrini S, Wong B, Eldaief M, Press DZ, Sinclair DA, Koch G, Avenanti A, Santarnecchi E. The multifactorial nature of healthy brain ageing: Brain changes, functional decline and protective factors. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 88:101939. [PMID: 37116664 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
As the global population faces a progressive shift towards a higher median age, understanding the mechanisms underlying healthy brain ageing has become of paramount importance for the preservation of cognitive abilities. The first part of the present review aims to provide a comprehensive look at the anatomical changes the healthy brain endures with advanced age, while also summarizing up to date findings on modifiable risk factors to support a healthy ageing process. Subsequently, we describe the typical cognitive profile displayed by healthy older adults, conceptualizing the well-established age-related decline as an impairment of four main cognitive factors and relating them to their neural substrate previously described; different cognitive trajectories displayed by typical Alzheimer's Disease patients and successful agers with a high cognitive reserve are discussed. Finally, potential effective interventions and protective strategies to promote cognitive reserve and defer cognitive decline are reviewed and proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Turrini
- Precision Neuroscience & Neuromodulation Program, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Centro studi e ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia "Renzo Canestrari", Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, Cesena, Italy
| | - Bonnie Wong
- Neuropsychology Program, Frontotemporal Disorders Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA , USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark Eldaief
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Z Press
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David A Sinclair
- Blavatnik Institute, Department of Genetics, Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of ageing Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giacomo Koch
- Stroke Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Department of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Centro studi e ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia "Renzo Canestrari", Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, Cesena, Italy; Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Precision Neuroscience & Neuromodulation Program, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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11
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Ricci M, Peona V, Boattini A, Taccioli C. Comparative analysis of bats and rodents' genomes suggests a relation between non-LTR retrotransposons, cancer incidence, and ageing. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9039. [PMID: 37270634 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36006-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence in nature of species showing drastic differences in lifespan and cancer incidence has recently increased the interest of the scientific community. In particular, the adaptations and the genomic features underlying the evolution of cancer-resistant and long-lived organisms have recently focused on transposable elements (TEs). In this study, we compared the content and dynamics of TE activity in the genomes of four rodent and six bat species exhibiting different lifespans and cancer susceptibility. Mouse, rat, and guinea pig genomes (short-lived and cancer-prone organisms) were compared with that of naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) which is a cancer-resistant organism and the rodent with the longest lifespan. The long-lived bats of the genera Myotis, Rhinolophus, Pteropus and Rousettus were instead compared with Molossus molossus, which is one of the organisms with the shortest lifespan among the order Chiroptera. Despite previous hypotheses stating a substantial tolerance of TEs in bats, we found that long-lived bats and the naked mole rat share a marked decrease of non-LTR retrotransposons (LINEs and SINEs) accumulation in recent evolutionary times.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valentina Peona
- Department of Organismal Biology, Systematic Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Alessio Boattini
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristian Taccioli
- Department of Animal Medicine, Health and Production, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
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12
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Both age and social environment shape the phenotype of ant workers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:186. [PMID: 36604491 PMCID: PMC9814961 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26515-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Position within the social group has consequences on individual lifespans in diverse taxa. This is especially obvious in eusocial insects, where workers differ in both the tasks they perform and their aging rates. However, in eusocial wasps, bees and ants, the performed task usually depends strongly on age. As such, untangling the effects of social role and age on worker physiology is a key step towards understanding the coevolution of sociality and aging. We performed an experimental protocol that allowed a separate analysis of these two factors using four groups of black garden ant (Lasius niger) workers: young foragers, old foragers, young nest workers, and old nest workers. We highlighted age-related differences in the proteome and metabolome of workers that were primarily related to worker subcaste and only secondarily to age. The relative abundance of proteins and metabolites suggests an improved xenobiotic detoxification, and a fuel metabolism based more on lipid use than carbohydrate use in young ants, regardless of their social role. Regardless of age, proteins related to the digestive function were more abundant in nest workers than in foragers. Old foragers were mostly characterized by weak abundances of molecules with an antibiotic activity or involved in chemical communication. Finally, our results suggest that even in tiny insects, extended lifespan may require to mitigate cancer risks. This is consistent with results found in eusocial rodents and thus opens up the discussion of shared mechanisms among distant taxa and the influence of sociality on life history traits such as longevity.
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13
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Power ML, Foley NM, Jones G, Teeling EC. Taking flight: An ecological, evolutionary and genomic perspective on bat telomeres. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6053-6068. [PMID: 34387012 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Over 20% of all living mammals are bats (order Chiroptera). Bats possess extraordinary adaptations including powered flight, laryngeal echolocation and a unique immune system that enables them to tolerate a diversity of viral infections without presenting clinical disease symptoms. They occupy multiple trophic niches and environments globally. Significant physiological and ecological diversity occurs across the order. Bats also exhibit extreme longevity given their body size with many species showing few signs of ageing. The molecular basis of this extended longevity has recently attracted attention. Telomere maintenance potentially underpins bats' extended healthspan, although functional studies are still required to validate the causative mechanisms. In this review, we detail the current knowledge on bat telomeres, telomerase expression, and how these relate to ecology, longevity and life-history strategies. Patterns of telomere shortening and telomerase expression vary across species, and comparative genomic analyses suggest that alternative telomere maintenance mechanisms evolved in the longest-lived bats. We discuss the unique challenges faced when working with populations of wild bats and highlight ways to advance the field including expanding long-term monitoring across species that display contrasting life-histories and occupy different environmental niches. We further review how new high quality, chromosome-level genome assemblies can enable us to uncover the molecular mechanisms governing telomere dynamics and how phylogenomic analyses can reveal the adaptive significance of telomere maintenance and variation in bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L Power
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science Centre West, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - Nicole M Foley
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Gareth Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Emma C Teeling
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Science Centre West, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
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14
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Ujvari B, Raven N, Madsen T, Klaassen M, Dujon AM, Schultz AG, Nunney L, Lemaître J, Giraudeau M, Thomas F. Telomeres, the loop tying cancer to organismal life-histories. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6273-6285. [PMID: 35510763 PMCID: PMC9790343 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Recent developments in telomere and cancer evolutionary ecology demonstrate a very complex relationship between the need of tissue repair and controlling the emergence of abnormally proliferating cells. The trade-off is balanced by natural and sexual selection and mediated via both intrinsic and environmental factors. Here, we explore the effects of telomere-cancer dynamics on life history traits and strategies as well as on the cumulative effects of genetic and environmental factors. We show that telomere-cancer dynamics constitute an incredibly complex and multifaceted process. From research to date, it appears that the relationship between telomere length and cancer risk is likely nonlinear with good evidence that both (too) long and (too) short telomeres can be associated with increased cancer risk. The ability and propensity of organisms to respond to the interplay of telomere dynamics and oncogenic processes, depends on the combination of its tissue environments, life history strategies, environmental challenges (i.e., extreme climatic conditions), pressure by predators and pollution, as well as its evolutionary history. Consequently, precise interpretation of telomere-cancer dynamics requires integrative and multidisciplinary approaches. Finally, incorporating information on telomere dynamics and the expression of tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes could potentially provide the synergistic overview that could lay the foundations to study telomere-cancer dynamics at ecosystem levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Ujvari
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Nynke Raven
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Thomas Madsen
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Marcel Klaassen
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Antoine M. Dujon
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Aaron G. Schultz
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Leonard Nunney
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal BiologyUniversity of California, RiversideRiversideCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jean‐François Lemaître
- Université de LyonLyonFrance,Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie ÉvolutiveUniversité Lyon 1CNRSUMR5558VilleurbanneFrance
| | - Mathieu Giraudeau
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES)MIVEGECUnité Mixte de RecherchesIRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance,LIENSsUMR 7266 CNRS‐La Rochelle UniversitéLa RochelleFrance
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES)MIVEGECUnité Mixte de RecherchesIRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
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15
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Smith S, Hoelzl F, Zahn S, Criscuolo F. Telomerase activity in ecological studies: What are its consequences for individual physiology and is there evidence for effects and trade-offs in wild populations. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6239-6251. [PMID: 34664335 PMCID: PMC9788021 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence at the cellular level is helping to provide proximate explanations for the balance between investment in growth, reproduction and somatic maintenance in wild populations. Studies of telomere dynamics have informed researchers about the loss and gain of telomere length both on a seasonal scale and across the lifespan of individuals. In addition, telomere length and telomere rate of loss seems to have evolved differently among taxonomic groups, and relate differently to organismal diversity of lifespan. So far, the mechanisms behind telomere maintenance remain elusive, although many studies have inferred a role for telomerase, an enzyme/RNA complex known to induce telomere elongation from laboratory studies. Exciting further work is also emerging that suggests telomerase (and/or its individual component parts) has a role in fitness that goes beyond the maintenance of telomere length. Here, we review the literature on telomerase biology and examine the evidence from ecological studies for the timing and extent of telomerase activation in relation to life history events associated with telomere maintenance. We suggest that the underlying mechanism is more complicated than originally anticipated, possibly involves several complimentary pathways, and is probably associated with high energetic costs. Potential pathways for future research are numerous and we outline what we see as the most promising prospects to expand our understanding of individual differences in immunity or reproduction efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Smith
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of EthologyUniversity of Veterinary Medicine, ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Franz Hoelzl
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of EthologyUniversity of Veterinary Medicine, ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Sandrine Zahn
- Department of Physiology, Evolution and BehaviourInstitut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert CurienCNRSUniversity of StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
| | - François Criscuolo
- Department of Physiology, Evolution and BehaviourInstitut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert CurienCNRSUniversity of StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
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16
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Dobson FS, Schull Q, Criscuolo F. Two aspects of longevity are associated with rates of loss of telomeres in birds. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9364. [PMID: 36311389 PMCID: PMC9596331 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres, the terminal repetitive DNA sequences at the ends of linear chromosomes, have strong associations with longevity in some major taxa. Longevity has been linked to rate of decline in telomere length in birds and mammals, and absolute telomere length seems to be associated with body mass in mammals. Using a phylogenetic comparative method and 30 species of birds, we examined longevity (reflected by maximum lifespan), absolute telomere length, the rate of change in telomere length (TROC), and body mass (often strongly associated with longevity) to ascertain their degree of association. We divided lifespan into two life-history components, one reflected by body size (measured as body mass) and a component that was statistically independent of body mass. While both lifespan and body mass were strongly associated with a family tree of the species (viz., the phylogeny of the species), telomere measures were not. Telomere length was not significantly associated with longevity or body mass or our measure of mass-independent lifespan. TROC, however, was strongly associated with mass-independent lifespan, but only to a much lesser degree at best with body mass-predicted lifespan. Our results supported an association of TROC and longevity, in particular longevity that was independent of body size and part of the pace-of-life syndrome of life histories.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Stephen Dobson
- University of Strasbourg, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, UMR 7178CNRSStrasbourgFrance
- Department of Biological SciencesAuburn UniversityAuburnAlabamaUSA
| | - Quentin Schull
- University of Strasbourg, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, UMR 7178CNRSStrasbourgFrance
- MARBEC, University of Montpellier, IFREMERIRD, CNRSSèteFrance
| | - François Criscuolo
- University of Strasbourg, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, UMR 7178CNRSStrasbourgFrance
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17
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Borges G, Criqui M, Harrington L. Tieing together loose ends: telomere instability in cancer and aging. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:3380-3396. [PMID: 35920280 PMCID: PMC9490142 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere maintenance is essential for maintaining genome integrity in both normal and cancer cells. Without functional telomeres, chromosomes lose their protective structure and undergo fusion and breakage events that drive further genome instability, including cell arrest or death. One means by which this loss can be overcome in stem cells and cancer cells is via re-addition of G-rich telomeric repeats by the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). During aging of somatic tissues, however, insufficient telomerase expression leads to a proliferative arrest called replicative senescence, which is triggered when telomeres reach a critically short threshold that induces a DNA damage response. Cancer cells express telomerase but do not entirely escape telomere instability as they often possess short telomeres; hence there is often selection for genetic alterations in the TERT promoter that result in increased telomerase expression. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the consequences of telomere instability in cancer and aging, and outline the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in exploiting the reliance of cells on telomere maintenance for preserving genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Borges
- Molecular Biology Programme, Institute for Research in Immunology and CancerUniversity of MontrealQCCanada
| | - Mélanie Criqui
- Molecular Biology Programme, Institute for Research in Immunology and CancerUniversity of MontrealQCCanada
| | - Lea Harrington
- Molecular Biology Programme, Institute for Research in Immunology and CancerUniversity of MontrealQCCanada
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular MedicineUniversity of MontrealQCCanada
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18
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Precioso M, Molina-Morales M, Dawson DA, Burke TA, Martínez JG. Effects of long-term ethanol storage of blood samples on the estimation of telomere length. Evol Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-022-10198-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AbstractTelomeres, DNA structures located at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes, shorten with each cellular cycle. The shortening rate is affected by factors associated with stress, and, thus telomere length has been used as a biomarker of ageing, disease, and different life history trade-offs. Telomere research has received much attention in the last decades, however there is still a wide variety of factors that may affect telomere measurements and to date no study has thoroughly evaluated the possible long-term effect of a storage medium on telomere measurements. In this study we evaluated the long-term effects of ethanol on relative telomere length (RTL) measured by qPCR, using blood samples of magpies collected over twelve years and stored in absolute ethanol at room temperature. We firstly tested whether storage time had an effect on RTL and secondly we modelled the effect of time of storage (from 1 to 12 years) in differences in RTL from DNA extracted twice in consecutive years from the same blood sample. We also tested whether individual amplification efficiencies were influenced by storage time, and whether this could affect our results. Our study provides evidence of an effect of storage time on telomere length measurements. Importantly, this effect shows a pattern of decreasing loss of telomere sequence with storage time that stops after approximate 4 years of storage, which suggests that telomeres may degrade in blood samples stored in ethanol. Our method to quantify the effect of storage time could be used to evaluate other storage buffers and methods. Our results highlight the need to evaluate the long-term effects of storage on telomere measurements, particularly in long-term studies.
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19
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Mosevitsky MI. Progerin and Its Role in Accelerated and Natural Aging. Mol Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893322020091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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20
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Lister-Shimauchi EH, McCarthy B, Lippincott M, Ahmed S. Genetic and Epigenetic Inheritance at Telomeres. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:9. [PMID: 35323213 PMCID: PMC8947350 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenerational inheritance can occur at telomeres in distinct contexts. Deficiency for telomerase or telomere-binding proteins in germ cells can result in shortened or lengthened chromosome termini that are transmitted to progeny. In human families, altered telomere lengths can result in stem cell dysfunction or tumor development. Genetic inheritance of altered telomeres as well as mutations that alter telomeres can result in progressive telomere length changes over multiple generations. Telomeres of yeast can modulate the epigenetic state of subtelomeric genes in a manner that is mitotically heritable, and the effects of telomeres on subtelomeric gene expression may be relevant to senescence or other human adult-onset disorders. Recently, two novel epigenetic states were shown to occur at C. elegans telomeres, where very low or high levels of telomeric protein foci can be inherited for multiple generations through a process that is regulated by histone methylation.Together, these observations illustrate that information relevant to telomere biology can be inherited via genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, although the broad impact of epigenetic inheritance to human biology remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan H. Lister-Shimauchi
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA; (E.H.L.-S.); (B.M.); (M.L.)
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Benjamin McCarthy
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA; (E.H.L.-S.); (B.M.); (M.L.)
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Michael Lippincott
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA; (E.H.L.-S.); (B.M.); (M.L.)
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Shawn Ahmed
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA; (E.H.L.-S.); (B.M.); (M.L.)
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
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21
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Lansdorp PM. Telomeres, aging, and cancer: the big picture. Blood 2022; 139:813-821. [PMID: 35142846 PMCID: PMC8832478 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021014299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of telomeres in human health and disease is yet to be fully understood. The limitations of mouse models for the study of human telomere biology and difficulties in accurately measuring the length of telomere repeats in chromosomes and cells have diverted attention from many important and relevant observations. The goal of this perspective is to summarize some of these observations and to discuss the antagonistic role of telomere loss in aging and cancer in the context of developmental biology, cell turnover, and evolution. It is proposed that both damage to DNA and replicative loss of telomeric DNA contribute to aging in humans, with the differences in leukocyte telomere length between humans being linked to the risk of developing specific diseases. These ideas are captured in the Telomere Erosion in Disposable Soma theory of aging proposed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Lansdorp
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada; and Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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22
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Epigenetic features in regulation of telomeres and telomerase in stem cells. Emerg Top Life Sci 2021; 5:497-505. [PMID: 34486664 DOI: 10.1042/etls20200344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The epigenetic nature of telomeres is still controversial and different human cell lines might show diverse histone marks at telomeres. Epigenetic modifications regulate telomere length and telomerase activity that influence telomere structure and maintenance. Telomerase is responsible for telomere elongation and maintenance and is minimally composed of the catalytic protein component, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and template forming RNA component, telomerase RNA (TERC). TERT promoter mutations may underpin some telomerase activation but regulation of the gene is not completely understood due to the complex interplay of epigenetic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional modifications. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can maintain an indefinite, immortal, proliferation potential through their endogenous telomerase activity, maintenance of telomere length, and a bypass of replicative senescence in vitro. Differentiation of PSCs results in silencing of the TERT gene and an overall reversion to a mortal, somatic cell phenotype. The precise mechanisms for this controlled transcriptional silencing are complex. Promoter methylation has been suggested to be associated with epigenetic control of telomerase regulation which presents an important prospect for understanding cancer and stem cell biology. Control of down-regulation of telomerase during differentiation of PSCs provides a convenient model for the study of its endogenous regulation. Telomerase reactivation has the potential to reverse tissue degeneration, drive repair, and form a component of future tissue engineering strategies. Taken together it becomes clear that PSCs provide a unique system to understand telomerase regulation fully and drive this knowledge forward into aging and therapeutic application.
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23
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Zidovudine inhibits telomere elongation, increases the transposable element LINE-1 copy number and compromises mouse embryo development. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:7767-7773. [PMID: 34669125 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06788-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Millions of pregnant, HIV-infected women take reverse transcriptase inhibitors, such as zidovudine (azidothymidine or AZT), during pregnancy. Reverse transcription plays important roles in early development, including regulation of telomere length (TL) and activity of transposable elements (TE). So we evaluated the effects of AZT on embryo development, TL, and copy number of an active TE, Long Interspersed Nuclear Element 1 (LINE-1), during early development in a murine model. DESIGN Experimental study. METHODS In vivo fertilized mouse zygotes from B6C3F1/B6D2F1 mice were cultured for 48 h in KSOM with no AZT (n = 45), AZT 1 μM (n = 46) or AZT 10 μM (n = 48). TL was measured by single-cell quantitative PCR (SC-pqPCR) and LINE-1 copy number by qPCR. The percentage of morulas at 48 h, TL and LINE-1 copy number were compared among groups. RESULTS Exposure to AZT 1 μM or 10 μM significantly impairs early embryo development. TL elongates from oocyte to control embryos. TL in AZT 1 μM embryos is shorter than in control embryos. LINE-1 copy number is significantly lower in oocytes than control embryos. AZT 1 μM increases LINE-1 copy number compared to oocytes controls, and AZT 10 μM embryos. CONCLUSION AZT at concentrations approaching those used to prevent perinatal HIV transmission compromises mouse embryo development, prevents telomere elongation and increases LINE-1 copy number after 48 h treatment. The impact of these effects on the trajectory of aging of children exposed to AZT early during development deserves further investigation.
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24
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Criscuolo F, Dobson FS, Schull Q. The influence of phylogeny and life history on telomere lengths and telomere rate of change among bird species: A meta-analysis. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:12908-12922. [PMID: 34646443 DOI: 10.22541/au.162308930.07224518/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Longevity is highly variable among animal species and has coevolved with other life-history traits, such as body size and rates of reproduction. Telomeres, through their erosion over time, are one of the cell mechanisms that produce senescence at the cell level and might even have an influence on the rate of aging in whole organisms. However, uneroded telomeres are also risk factors of cell immortalization. The associations of telomere lengths, their rate of change, and life-history traits independent of body size are largely underexplored for birds. To test associations of life-history traits and telomere dynamics, we conducted a phylogenetic meta-analysis using studies of 53 species of birds. We restricted analyses to studies that applied the telomere restriction fragment length (TRF) method, and examined relationships between mean telomere length at the chick (Chick TL) and adult (Adult TL) stages, the mean rate of change in telomere length during life (TROC), and life-history traits. We examined 3 principal components of 12 life-history variables that represented: body size (PC1), the slow-fast continuum of pace of life (PC2), and postfledging parental care (PC3). Phylogeny had at best a small-to-medium influence on Adult and Chick TL (r 2 = .190 and .138, respectively), but a substantial influence on TROC (r 2 = .688). Phylogeny strongly influenced life histories: PC1 (r 2 = .828), PC2 (.838), and PC3 (.613). Adult TL and Chick TL were poorly associated with the life-history variables. TROC, however, was negatively and moderate-to-strongly associated with PC2 (unadjusted r = -.340; with phylogenetic correction, r = -.490). Independent of body size, long-lived species with smaller clutches, and slower embryonic rate of growth may exhibit less change in telomere length over their lifetimes. We suggest that telomere lengths may have diverged, even among closely avian-related species, yet telomere dynamics are strongly linked to the pace of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Criscuolo
- CNRS Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien UMR 7178 University of Strasbourg Strasbourg France
| | - F Stephen Dobson
- CNRS Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien UMR 7178 University of Strasbourg Strasbourg France
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
| | - Quentin Schull
- MARBEC IFREMER IRD CNRS University of Montpellier Sète France
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25
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Criscuolo F, Dobson FS, Schull Q. The influence of phylogeny and life history on telomere lengths and telomere rate of change among bird species: A meta-analysis. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:12908-12922. [PMID: 34646443 PMCID: PMC8495793 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Longevity is highly variable among animal species and has coevolved with other life-history traits, such as body size and rates of reproduction. Telomeres, through their erosion over time, are one of the cell mechanisms that produce senescence at the cell level and might even have an influence on the rate of aging in whole organisms. However, uneroded telomeres are also risk factors of cell immortalization. The associations of telomere lengths, their rate of change, and life-history traits independent of body size are largely underexplored for birds. To test associations of life-history traits and telomere dynamics, we conducted a phylogenetic meta-analysis using studies of 53 species of birds. We restricted analyses to studies that applied the telomere restriction fragment length (TRF) method, and examined relationships between mean telomere length at the chick (Chick TL) and adult (Adult TL) stages, the mean rate of change in telomere length during life (TROC), and life-history traits. We examined 3 principal components of 12 life-history variables that represented: body size (PC1), the slow-fast continuum of pace of life (PC2), and postfledging parental care (PC3). Phylogeny had at best a small-to-medium influence on Adult and Chick TL (r 2 = .190 and .138, respectively), but a substantial influence on TROC (r 2 = .688). Phylogeny strongly influenced life histories: PC1 (r 2 = .828), PC2 (.838), and PC3 (.613). Adult TL and Chick TL were poorly associated with the life-history variables. TROC, however, was negatively and moderate-to-strongly associated with PC2 (unadjusted r = -.340; with phylogenetic correction, r = -.490). Independent of body size, long-lived species with smaller clutches, and slower embryonic rate of growth may exhibit less change in telomere length over their lifetimes. We suggest that telomere lengths may have diverged, even among closely avian-related species, yet telomere dynamics are strongly linked to the pace of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Criscuolo
- CNRSInstitut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert CurienUMR 7178University of StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
| | - F. Stephen Dobson
- CNRSInstitut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert CurienUMR 7178University of StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
- Department of Biological SciencesAuburn UniversityAuburnALUSA
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Convergent evolution of a genomic rearrangement may explain cancer resistance in hystrico- and sciuromorpha rodents. NPJ Aging Mech Dis 2021; 7:20. [PMID: 34471123 PMCID: PMC8410860 DOI: 10.1038/s41514-021-00072-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The rodents of hystricomorpha and sciuromorpha suborders exhibit remarkably lower incidence of cancer. The underlying genetic basis remains obscure. We report a convergent evolutionary split of human 3p21.31, a locus hosting a large number of tumour-suppressor genes (TSGs) and frequently deleted in several tumour types, in hystrico- and sciuromorphs. Analysis of 34 vertebrate genomes revealed that the synteny of 3p21.31 cluster is functionally and evolutionarily constrained in most placental mammals, but exhibit large genomic interruptions independently in hystricomorphs and sciuromorphs, owing to relaxation of underlying constraints. Hystrico- and sciuromorphs, therefore, escape from pro-tumorigenic co-deletion of several TSGs in cis. The split 3p21.31 sub-clusters gained proximity to proto-oncogene clusters from elsewhere, which might further nullify pro-tumorigenic impact of copy number variations due to co-deletion or co-amplification of genes with opposing effects. The split of 3p21.31 locus coincided with the accelerated rate of its gene expression and the body mass evolution of ancestral hystrico- and sciuromorphs. The genes near breakpoints were associated with the traits specific to hystrico- and sciuromorphs, implying adaptive significance. We conclude that the convergently evolved chromosomal interruptions of evolutionarily constrained 3p21.31 cluster might have impacted evolution of cancer resistance, body mass variation and ecological adaptations in hystrico- and sciuromorphs.
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Herrera-Álvarez S, Karlsson E, Ryder OA, Lindblad-Toh K, Crawford AJ. How to Make a Rodent Giant: Genomic Basis and Tradeoffs of Gigantism in the Capybara, the World's Largest Rodent. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:1715-1730. [PMID: 33169792 PMCID: PMC8097284 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gigantism results when one lineage within a clade evolves extremely large body size relative to its small-bodied ancestors, a common phenomenon in animals. Theory predicts that the evolution of giants should be constrained by two tradeoffs. First, because body size is negatively correlated with population size, purifying selection is expected to be less efficient in species of large body size, leading to increased mutational load. Second, gigantism is achieved through generating a higher number of cells along with higher rates of cell proliferation, thus increasing the likelihood of cancer. To explore the genetic basis of gigantism in rodents and uncover genomic signatures of gigantism-related tradeoffs, we assembled a draft genome of the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the world's largest living rodent. We found that the genome-wide ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous mutations (ω) is elevated in the capybara relative to other rodents, likely caused by a generation-time effect and consistent with a nearly neutral model of molecular evolution. A genome-wide scan for adaptive protein evolution in the capybara highlighted several genes controlling postnatal bone growth regulation and musculoskeletal development, which are relevant to anatomical and developmental modifications for an increase in overall body size. Capybara-specific gene-family expansions included a putative novel anticancer adaptation that involves T-cell-mediated tumor suppression, offering a potential resolution to the increased cancer risk in this lineage. Our comparative genomic results uncovered the signature of an intragenomic conflict where the evolution of gigantism in the capybara involved selection on genes and pathways that are directly linked to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elinor Karlsson
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Oliver A Ryder
- San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, Escondido, CA, USA
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andrew J Crawford
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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28
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Stone RC, Aviv A, Paus R. Telomere Dynamics and Telomerase in the Biology of Hair Follicles and their Stem Cells as a Model for Aging Research. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 141:1031-1040. [PMID: 33509633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we propose that telomere length dynamics play an important but underinvestigated role in the biology of the hair follicle (HF), a prototypic, cyclically remodeled miniorgan that shows an intriguing aging pattern in humans. Whereas the HF pigmentary unit ages quickly, its epithelial stem cell (ESC) component and regenerative capacity are surprisingly aging resistant. Telomerase-deficient mice with short telomeres display an aging phenotype of hair graying and hair loss that is attributed to impaired HF ESC mobilization. Yet, it remains unclear whether the function of telomerase and telomeres in murine HF biology translate to the human system. Therefore, we propose new directions for future telomere research of the human HF. Such research may guide the development of novel treatments for selected disorders of human hair growth or pigmentation (e.g., chemotherapy-induced alopecia, telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, cicatricial alopecia, graying). It might also increase the understanding of the global role of telomeres in aging-related human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rivka C Stone
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
| | - Abraham Aviv
- The Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ralf Paus
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA; Centre for Dermatology Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom; Monasterium Laboratory, Münster, Germany
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29
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Sun Y, Li X, Jiang W, Fan Y, Ouyang Q, Shao W, Alolga RN, Ge Y, Ma G. Advanced paternal age and risk of cancer in offspring. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 13:3712-3725. [PMID: 33411681 PMCID: PMC7906132 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Many risk factors of cancer have been established, but the contribution of paternal age in this regard remains largely unexplored. To further understand the etiology of cancer, we investigated the relationship between paternal age and cancer incidence using PLCO cohort. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to assess the association between paternal age and the risk of cancers. During follow-up time (median 11.5 years), 18,753 primary cancers occurred. Paternal age was associated with reduced risk of cancers of the female genitalia (HR, 0.79; 95%CI, 0.66-0.94; P = 0.008) as well as cancers of the respiratory and intrathoracic organs (HR, 0.78; 95%CI, 0.63-0.97; P = 0.026). The association was stronger for lung cancer (HR, 0.67; 95%CI, 0.52-0.86; P = 0.002). The subgroup analysis suggested that age, gender, smoking and BMI were related to the decreased cancer incidence of the respiratory and intrathoracic organs, lung and the female genitalia. Positive linear associations were observed between paternal age and cancer incidence of the female genitalia, respiratory and intrathoracic organs and the lungs. These findings indicate that advanced paternal age is an independent protective factor against various cancers in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yuanming Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiong Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Shao
- Department of Science and Technology, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Raphael N. Alolga
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuqiu Ge
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Gaoxiang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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30
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Kowald A, Passos JF, Kirkwood TBL. On the evolution of cellular senescence. Aging Cell 2020; 19:e13270. [PMID: 33166065 PMCID: PMC7744960 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The idea that senescent cells are causally involved in aging has gained strong support from findings that the removal of such cells alleviates many age‐related diseases and extends the life span of mice. While efforts proceed to make therapeutic use of such discoveries, it is important to ask what evolutionary forces might have been behind the emergence of cellular senescence, in order better to understand the biology that we might seek to alter. Cellular senescence is often regarded as an anti‐cancer mechanism, since it limits the division potential of cells. However, many studies have shown that senescent cells often also have carcinogenic properties. This is difficult to reconcile with the simple idea of an anti‐cancer mechanism. Furthermore, other studies have shown that cellular senescence is involved in wound healing and tissue repair. Here, we bring these findings and ideas together and discuss the possibility that these functions might be the main reason for the evolution of cellular senescence. Furthermore, we discuss the idea that senescent cells might accumulate with age because the immune system had to strike a balance between false negatives (overlooking some senescent cells) and false positives (destroying healthy body cells).
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Kowald
- Campus for Ageing and Vitality Newcastle University Institute for Ageing Newcastle upon Tyne UK
- Rostock University Medical Center Institute for Biostatistics and Informatics in Medicine and Aging Research (IBIMA) Rostock Germany
| | - João F. Passos
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA
| | - Thomas B. L. Kirkwood
- Campus for Ageing and Vitality Newcastle University Institute for Ageing Newcastle upon Tyne UK
- Center for Healthy Aging Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
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31
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Vedelek B, Maddali AK, Davenova N, Vedelek V, Boros IM. TERT promoter alterations could provide a solution for Peto's paradox in rodents. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20815. [PMID: 33257697 PMCID: PMC7704627 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77648-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a genetic disease caused by changes in gene expression resulting from somatic mutations and epigenetic changes. Although the probability of mutations is proportional with cell number and replication cycles, large bodied species do not develop cancer more frequently than smaller ones. This notion is known as Peto's paradox, and assumes stronger tumor suppression in larger animals. One of the possible tumor suppressor mechanisms involved could be replicative senescence caused by telomere shortening in the absence of telomerase activity. We analysed telomerase promoter activity and transcription factor binding in mammals to identify the key element of telomerase gene inactivation. We found that the GABPA transcription factor plays a key role in TERT regulation in somatic cells of small rodents, but its binding site is absent in larger beavers. Protein binding and reporter gene assays verify different use of this site in different species. The presence or absence of the GABPA TF site in TERT promoters of rodents correlates with TERT promoter activity; thus it could determine whether replicative senescence plays a tumor suppressor role in these species, which could be in direct relation with body mass. The GABPA TF binding sites that contribute to TERT activity in somatic cells of rodents are analogous to those mutated in human tumors, which activate telomerase by a non-ALT mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Vedelek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Asha Kiran Maddali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Nurgul Davenova
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Viktor Vedelek
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Imre M Boros
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary.
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32
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Heidinger BJ, Young RC. Cross‐Generational Effects of Parental Age on Offspring Longevity: Are Telomeres an Important Underlying Mechanism? Bioessays 2020; 42:e1900227. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Britt J. Heidinger
- Biological Sciences Department North Dakota State University Fargo ND 58108 USA
| | - Rebecca C. Young
- Biological Sciences Department North Dakota State University Fargo ND 58108 USA
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33
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Biohorology and biomarkers of aging: Current state-of-the-art, challenges and opportunities. Ageing Res Rev 2020; 60:101050. [PMID: 32272169 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2020.101050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The aging process results in multiple traceable footprints, which can be quantified and used to estimate an organism's age. Examples of such aging biomarkers include epigenetic changes, telomere attrition, and alterations in gene expression and metabolite concentrations. More than a dozen aging clocks use molecular features to predict an organism's age, each of them utilizing different data types and training procedures. Here, we offer a detailed comparison of existing mouse and human aging clocks, discuss their technological limitations and the underlying machine learning algorithms. We also discuss promising future directions of research in biohorology - the science of measuring the passage of time in living systems. Overall, we expect deep learning, deep neural networks and generative approaches to be the next power tools in this timely and actively developing field.
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34
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Udroiu I, Sgura A. Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres and Chromatin Status. Genes (Basel) 2019; 11:genes11010045. [PMID: 31905921 PMCID: PMC7016797 DOI: 10.3390/genes11010045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere length is maintained by either telomerase, a reverse transcriptase, or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), a mechanism that utilizes homologous recombination (HR) proteins. Since access to DNA for HR enzymes is regulated by the chromatin status, it is expected that telomere elongation is linked to epigenetic modifications. The aim of this review is to elucidate the epigenetic features of ALT-positive cells. In order to do this, it is first necessary to understand the telomeric chromatin peculiarities. So far, the epigenetic nature of telomeres is still controversial: some authors describe them as heterochromatic, while for others, they are euchromatic. Similarly, ALT activity should be characterized by the loss (according to most researchers) or formation (as claimed by a minority) of heterochromatin in telomeres. Besides reviewing the main works in this field and the most recent findings, some hypotheses involving the role of telomere non-canonical sequences and the possible spatial heterogeneity of telomeres are given.
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35
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Wilbur SM, Barnes BM, Kitaysky AS, Williams CT. Tissue-specific telomere dynamics in hibernating arctic ground squirrels ( Urocitellus parryii). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.204925. [PMID: 31515236 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.204925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Hibernation is used by a variety of mammals to survive seasonal periods of resource scarcity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) released during periodic rewarming throughout hibernation, however, may induce oxidative damage in some tissues. Telomeres, which are the terminal sequences of linear chromosomes, may shorten in the presence of ROS, and thus the telomere length of an individual reflects the degree of accrued oxidative damage. This study quantified telomere length dynamics throughout hibernation in arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii). We hypothesized that telomere dynamics are tissue specific and predicted that telomere shortening would be most pronounced in brown adipose tissue (BAT), the organ that directly supports non-shivering thermogenesis during arousals. We used qPCR to determine relative telomere length (RTL) in DNA extracted from liver, heart, skeletal muscle (SM) and BAT of 45 juvenile and adult animals sampled either at mid- or late hibernation. Age did not have a significant effect on RTL in any tissue. At mid-hibernation, RTL of juvenile females was longer in BAT and SM than in liver and heart. In juvenile females, RTL in BAT and SM, but not in liver and heart, was shorter at late hibernation than at mid-hibernation. At late hibernation, juvenile males had longer RTL in BAT than did juvenile females, perhaps due to the naturally shorter hibernation duration of male arctic ground squirrels. Finally, BAT RTL at late hibernation negatively correlated with arousal frequency. Overall, our results suggest that, in a hibernating mammal, telomere shortening is tissue specific and that metabolically active tissues might incur higher levels of molecular damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Wilbur
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Brian M Barnes
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Alexander S Kitaysky
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Cory T Williams
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
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36
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Bosma KJ, Syring KE, Oeser JK, Lee JD, Benninger RKP, Pamenter ME, O'Brien RM. Evidence that Evolution of the Diabetes Susceptibility Gene SLC30A8 that Encodes the Zinc Transporter ZnT8 Drives Variations in Pancreatic Islet Zinc Content in Multiple Species. J Mol Evol 2019; 87:147-151. [PMID: 31273433 PMCID: PMC6699160 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-019-09898-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic islet zinc levels vary widely between species. Very low islet zinc levels in Guinea pigs were thought to be driven by evolution of the INS gene that resulted in the generation of an isoform lacking a histidine at amino acid 10 in the B chain of insulin that is unable to bind zinc. However, we recently showed that the SLC30A8 gene, that encodes the zinc transporter ZnT8, is a pseudogene in Guinea pigs, providing an alternate mechanism to potentially explain the low zinc levels. We show here that the SLC30A8 gene is also inactivated in sheep, cows, chinchillas and naked mole rats but in all four species a histidine is retained at amino acid 10 in the B chain of insulin. Zinc levels are known to be very low in sheep and cow islets. These data suggest that evolution of SLC30A8 rather than INS drives variation in pancreatic islet zinc content in multiple species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin J Bosma
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 8415 MRB IV, 2213 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232-0615, USA
| | - Kristen E Syring
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 8415 MRB IV, 2213 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232-0615, USA
| | - James K Oeser
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 8415 MRB IV, 2213 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232-0615, USA
| | - Jason D Lee
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 8415 MRB IV, 2213 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232-0615, USA
| | - Richard K P Benninger
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Matthew E Pamenter
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.,University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Richard M O'Brien
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 8415 MRB IV, 2213 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232-0615, USA.
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Exposure to environmental radionuclides associates with tissue-specific impacts on telomerase expression and telomere length. Sci Rep 2019; 9:850. [PMID: 30696885 PMCID: PMC6351625 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37164-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres, the protective structures at the ends of chromosomes, can be shortened when individuals are exposed to stress. In some species, the enzyme telomerase is expressed in adult somatic tissues, and potentially protects or lengthens telomeres. Telomeres can be damaged by ionizing radiation and oxidative stress, although the effect of chronic exposure to elevated levels of radiation on telomere maintenance is unknown for natural populations. We quantified telomerase expression and telomere length (TL) in different tissues of the bank vole Myodes glareolus, collected from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, an environment heterogeneously contaminated with radionuclides, and from uncontaminated control sites elsewhere in Ukraine. Inhabiting the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone was associated with reduced TL in the liver and testis, and upregulation of telomerase in brain and liver. Thus upregulation of telomerase does not appear to associate with longer telomeres but may reflect protective functions other than telomere maintenance or an attempt to maintain shorter telomeres in a stressful environment. Tissue specific differences in the rate of telomere attrition and apparent radiosensitivity weaken the intra-individual correlation in telomere length among tissues in voles exposed to radionuclides. Our data show that ionizing radiation alters telomere homeostasis in wild animal populations in tissue specific ways.
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Monaghan P, Eisenberg DTA, Harrington L, Nussey D. Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2016.0435. [PMID: 29335374 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Dan T A Eisenberg
- Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, 314 Denny Hall, Box 353100 Seattle, WA 98195-3100, USA
| | - Lea Harrington
- Départemente de Médecine, Institut de recherche en immunologie et en cancérologie, Université de Montréal, 2950 chemin de Polytechnique, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3T 1J4
| | - Dan Nussey
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Labs, The King's Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
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Eisenberg DTA, Kuzawa CW. The paternal age at conception effect on offspring telomere length: mechanistic, comparative and adaptive perspectives. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2016.0442. [PMID: 29335366 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are repeating DNA found at the ends of chromosomes that, in the absence of restorative processes, shorten with cell replications and are implicated as a cause of senescence. It appears that sperm telomere length (TL) increases with age in humans, and as a result offspring of older fathers inherit longer telomeres. We review possible mechanisms underlying this paternal age at conception (PAC) effect on TL, including sperm telomere extension due to telomerase activity, age-dependent changes in the spermatogonial stem cell population (possibly driven by 'selfish' spermatogonia) and non-causal confounding. In contrast to the lengthening of TL with PAC, higher maternal age at conception appears to predict shorter offspring TL in humans. We review evidence for heterogeneity across species in the PAC effect on TL, which could relate to differences in statistical power, sperm production rates or testicular telomerase activity. Finally, we review the hypothesis that the PAC effect on TL may allow a gradual multi-generational adaptive calibration of maintenance effort, and reproductive lifespan, to local demographic conditions: descendants of males who reproduced at a later age are likely to find themselves in an environment where increased maintenance effort, allowing later reproduction, represents a fitness improving resource allocation.This article is part of the theme issue 'Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan T A Eisenberg
- Department of Anthropology, Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christopher W Kuzawa
- Department of Anthropology, Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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40
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Risques RA, Promislow DEL. All's well that ends well: why large species have short telomeres. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2016.0448. [PMID: 29335372 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Among mammal species, almost all life-history traits are strongly size dependent. This size dependence even occurs at a molecular level. For example, both telomere length and telomerase expression show a size-dependent threshold. With some exceptions, species smaller than approximately 2 kg express telomerase, while species larger than that do not. Among species greater than approximately 5 kg, telomeres tend to be short-less than 25 kb-while among smaller species, some species have short and some have long telomeres. Here, we present a model to explore the role of body size-dependent trade-offs in shaping this threshold. We assume that selection favours short telomeres as a mechanism to protect against cancer. At the same time, selection favours long telomeres as a protective mechanism against DNA damage and replicative senescence. The relative importance of these two selective forces will depend on underlying intrinsic mortality and risk of cancer, both of which are size-dependent. Results from this model suggest that a cost-benefit model for the evolution of telomere length could explain phylogenetic patterns observed within the Class Mammalia. In addition, the model suggests a general conceptual framework to think about the role that body size plays in the evolution of tumour suppressor mechanisms.This article is part of the theme issue 'Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Ana Risques
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Daniel E L Promislow
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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41
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Tian X, Doerig K, Park R, Can Ran Qin A, Hwang C, Neary A, Gilbert M, Seluanov A, Gorbunova V. Evolution of telomere maintenance and tumour suppressor mechanisms across mammals. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2016.0443. [PMID: 29335367 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian species differ dramatically in telomere biology. Species larger than 5-10 kg repress somatic telomerase activity and have shorter telomeres, leading to replicative senescence. It has been proposed that evolution of replicative senescence in large-bodied species is an anti-tumour mechanism counteracting increased risk of cancer due to increased cell numbers. By contrast, small-bodied species express high telomerase activity and have longer telomeres. To counteract cancer risk due to longer lifespan, long-lived small-bodied species evolved additional telomere-independent tumour suppressor mechanisms. Here, we tested the connection between telomere biology and tumorigenesis by analysing the propensity of fibroblasts from 18 rodent species to form tumours. We found a negative correlation between species lifespan and anchorage-independent growth. Small-bodied species required inactivation of Rb and/or p53 and expression of oncogenic H-Ras to form tumours. Large-bodied species displayed a continuum of phenotypes requiring additional genetic 'hits' for malignant transformation. Based on these data we refine the model of the evolution of tumour suppressor mechanisms and telomeres. We propose that two different strategies evolved in small and large species because small-bodied species cannot tolerate small tumours that form prior to activation of the telomere barrier, and must instead use telomere-independent strategies that act earlier, at the hyperplasia stage.This article is part of the theme issue 'Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Tian
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Katherine Doerig
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Rosa Park
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Alice Can Ran Qin
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Chaewon Hwang
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Alexander Neary
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Michael Gilbert
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Andrei Seluanov
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Vera Gorbunova
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
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42
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Liu J, Wang L, Wang Z, Liu JP. Roles of Telomere Biology in Cell Senescence, Replicative and Chronological Ageing. Cells 2019; 8:E54. [PMID: 30650660 PMCID: PMC6356700 DOI: 10.3390/cells8010054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres with G-rich repetitive DNA and particular proteins as special heterochromatin structures at the termini of eukaryotic chromosomes are tightly maintained to safeguard genetic integrity and functionality. Telomerase as a specialized reverse transcriptase uses its intrinsic RNA template to lengthen telomeric G-rich strand in yeast and human cells. Cells sense telomere length shortening and respond with cell cycle arrest at a certain size of telomeres referring to the "Hayflick limit." In addition to regulating the cell replicative senescence, telomere biology plays a fundamental role in regulating the chronological post-mitotic cell ageing. In this review, we summarize the current understandings of telomere regulation of cell replicative and chronological ageing in the pioneer model system Saccharomyces cerevisiae and provide an overview on telomere regulation of animal lifespans. We focus on the mechanisms of survivals by telomere elongation, DNA damage response and environmental factors in the absence of telomerase maintenance of telomeres in the yeast and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Institute of Ageing Research, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Lihui Wang
- Institute of Ageing Research, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Zhiguo Wang
- Institute of Ageing Research, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jun-Ping Liu
- Institute of Ageing Research, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.
- Department of Immunology, Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Melbourne, Vitoria 3004, Australia.
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
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43
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Burkard M, Bengtson Nash S, Gambaro G, Whitworth D, Schirmer K. Lifetime extension of humpback whale skin fibroblasts and their response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (Aroclor). Cell Biol Toxicol 2019; 35:387-398. [PMID: 30627956 PMCID: PMC6757015 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-018-09457-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Marine mammals, such as whales, have a high proportion of body fat and so are susceptible to the accumulation, and associated detrimental health effects, of lipophilic environmental contaminants. Recently, we developed a wild-type cell line from humpback whale fibroblasts (HuWa). Extensive molecular assessments with mammalian wild-type cells are typically constrained by a finite life span, with cells eventually becoming senescent. Thus, the present work explored the possibility of preventing senescence in the HuWa cell line by transfection with plasmids encoding the simian virus large T antigen (SV40T) or telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). No stable expression was achieved upon SV40 transfection. Transfection with TERT, on the other hand, activated the expression of telomerase in HuWa cells. At the time of manuscript preparation, the transfected HuWa cells (HuWaTERT) have been stable for at least 59 passages post-transfection. HuWaTERT proliferate rapidly and maintain initial cell characteristics, such as morphology and chromosomal stability. The response of HuWaTERT cells to an immune stimulant (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) and an immunotoxicant (Aroclor1254) was assessed by measurement of intracellular levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. HuWaTERT cells constitutively express IL-6, IL-1β and TNFα. Exposure to neither LPS nor Aroclor1254 had an effect on the levels of these cytokines. Overall, this work supports the diverse applicability of HuWa cell lines in that they display reliable long-term preservation, susceptibility to exogenous gene transfer and enable the study of humpback whale-specific cellular response mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Burkard
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Susan Bengtson Nash
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gessica Gambaro
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Deanne Whitworth
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia.,Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Kristin Schirmer
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland. .,Institute of Biogechemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland. .,School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPF Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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44
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Galkin F, Zhang B, Dmitriev SE, Gladyshev VN. Reversibility of irreversible aging. Ageing Res Rev 2019; 49:104-114. [PMID: 30513346 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Most multicellular organisms are known to age, due to accumulation of damage and other deleterious changes over time. These changes are often irreversible, as organisms, humans included, evolved fully differentiated, irreplaceable cells (e.g. neurons) and structures (e.g. skeleton). Hence, deterioration or loss of at least some cells and structures should lead to inevitable aging of these organisms. Yet, some cells may escape this fate: adult somatic cells may be converted to partially reprogrammed cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). By their nature, iPSCs are the cells representing the early stages of life, indicating a possibility of reversing the age of cells within the organism. Reprogramming strategies may be accomplished both in vitro and in vivo, offering opportunities for rejuvenation in the context of whole organisms. Similarly, older organs may be replaced with the younger ones prepared ex vivo, or grown within other organisms or even other species. How could the irreversibility of aging of some parts of the organism be reconciled with the putative reversal of aging of the other parts of the same organism? Resolution of this question holds promise for dramatically extending lifespan, which is currently not possible with traditional genetic, dietary and pharmacological approaches. Critical issues in this challenge are the nature of aging, relationship between aging of an organism and aging of its parts, relationship between cell dedifferentiation and rejuvenation, and increased risk of cancer that goes hand in hand with rejuvenation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fedor Galkin
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia; Insilico Medicine, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Bohan Zhang
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sergey E Dmitriev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - Vadim N Gladyshev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia; Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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45
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Syring KE, Bosma KJ, Oeser JK, Shiota M, O'Brien RM. The Diabetes Susceptibility Gene SLC30A8 that Encodes the Zinc Transporter ZnT8 is a Pseudogene in Guinea Pigs Potentially Contributing to Low Guinea Pig Islet Zinc Content. J Mol Evol 2018; 86:613-617. [PMID: 30392157 PMCID: PMC6309332 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-018-9873-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In most mammals pancreatic islet beta cells have very high zinc levels that promote the crystallization and storage of insulin. Guinea pigs are unusual amongst mammals in that their islets have very low zinc content. The selectionist theory of insulin evolution proposes that low environmental zinc led to the selection of a mutation in Guinea pig insulin that negated the requirement for zinc binding. In mice deletion of the Slc30a8 gene, that encodes the zinc transporter ZnT8, markedly reduces islet zinc content. We show here that SLC30A8 is a pseudogene in Guinea pigs. We hypothesize that inactivation of the SLC30A8 gene led to low islet zinc content that allowed for the evolution of insulin that no longer bound zinc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen E Syring
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 8415 MRB IV, 2213 Garland Ave, 37232-0615, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Karin J Bosma
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 8415 MRB IV, 2213 Garland Ave, 37232-0615, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - James K Oeser
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 8415 MRB IV, 2213 Garland Ave, 37232-0615, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Masakazu Shiota
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 8415 MRB IV, 2213 Garland Ave, 37232-0615, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Richard M O'Brien
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 8415 MRB IV, 2213 Garland Ave, 37232-0615, Nashville, TN, USA.
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46
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Klegarth AR, Eisenberg DTA. Mammalian chromosome-telomere length dynamics. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:180492. [PMID: 30109098 PMCID: PMC6083700 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Individual chromosome arms have specific individual telomere lengths (TLs). Past studies within species have shown strong positive correlations between individual chromosome length and TL at that chromosome. While the reasons for these associations are unclear, the strength and consistency of the associations across disparate taxa suggest that this is important to telomere biology and should be explored further. If TL is primarily determined by chromosome length, then chromosome length should be considered and controlled for in cross-species analyses of TL. Here, we employ a cross-species approach to explore whether the chromosome length-TL association observed intraspecifically is a determinant of mean TL across species. Data were compiled from two studies characterizing TL across a range of mammalian taxa and analysed in a phylogenetic framework. We found no significant relationship between TL and chromosome size across mammals or within mammalians orders. The pattern trends in the expected direction and we suggest may be masked by evolutionary lag effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy R. Klegarth
- Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, 314 Denny Hall, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washington, 230 Raitt Hall, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Dan T. A. Eisenberg
- Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, 314 Denny Hall, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
- Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washington, 230 Raitt Hall, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
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47
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Manskikh VN, Averina OA, Nikiforova AI. Spontaneous and Experimentally Induced Pathologies in the Naked Mole Rat (Heterocephalus glaber). BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2018; 82:1504-1512. [PMID: 29486700 PMCID: PMC7088389 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297917120094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber, Rüppell, 1842) is a unique eusocial rodent with unusually long lifespan. Therefore, the study of spontaneous and experimentally induced pathologies in these animals is one of the most important tasks of gerontology. Various infections, noninfectious pathologies (including age-dependent changes), and tumors have been described in the naked mole rat. The most frequent pathologies are traumas (bite wounds), purulent and septic complications of traumatic injuries, renal tubular calcinosis, chronic progressive nephropathy, hepatic hemosiderosis, testicular interstitial cell hyperplasia, calcinosis cutis, cardiomyopathy, and dysbiosis-related infectious lesions of the digestive system. However, the summarized data on pathology (including tumor incidence) and on the causes of mortality are insufficient. There are only few publications about the results of experiments where pathologies were induced in the naked mole rat. All these problems could be subjects for promising future studies without which adequate studies on mechanisms providing the long lifespan of the naked mole rat are impossible, as well as the elucidation of causes of tumor resistance of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- V N Manskikh
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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48
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Young AJ. The role of telomeres in the mechanisms and evolution of life-history trade-offs and ageing. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 373:20160452. [PMID: 29335379 PMCID: PMC5784072 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary biology and biomedicine have seen a surge of recent interest in the possibility that telomeres play a role in life-history trade-offs and ageing. Here, I evaluate alternative hypotheses for the role of telomeres in the mechanisms and evolution of life-history trade-offs and ageing, and highlight outstanding challenges. First, while recent findings underscore the possibility of a proximate causal role for telomeres in current-future trade-offs and ageing, it is currently unclear (i) whether telomeres ever play a causal role in either and (ii) whether any causal role for telomeres arises via shortening or length-independent mechanisms. Second, I consider why, if telomeres do play a proximate causal role, selection has not decoupled such a telomere-mediated trade-off between current and future performance. Evidence suggests that evolutionary constraints have not rendered such decoupling impossible. Instead, a causal role for telomeres would more plausibly reflect an adaptive strategy, born of telomere maintenance costs and/or a function for telomere attrition (e.g. in countering cancer), the relative importance of which is currently unclear. Finally, I consider the potential for telomere biology to clarify the constraints at play in life-history evolution, and to explain the form of the current-future trade-offs and ageing trajectories that we observe today.This article is part of the theme issue 'Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Young
- School of Biosciences, University of Exeter Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
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49
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McLennan D, Armstrong JD, Stewart DC, McKelvey S, Boner W, Monaghan P, Metcalfe NB. Links between parental life histories of wild salmon and the telomere lengths of their offspring. Mol Ecol 2018; 27:804-814. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.14467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Darryl McLennan
- Institute of Biodiversity; Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| | | | | | - Simon McKelvey
- Cromarty Firth Fishery Trust; CKD Galbraith; Inverness UK
| | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity; Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity; Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| | - Neil B. Metcalfe
- Institute of Biodiversity; Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
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50
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Olsson M, Wapstra E, Friesen CR. Evolutionary ecology of telomeres: a review. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2017; 1422:5-28. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mats Olsson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Wollongong Wollongong New South Wales Australia
| | - Erik Wapstra
- School of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania Australia
| | - Christopher R. Friesen
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
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