Is the Architecture of the Nuclear Envelope Fundamental to the Evolution of Aging?

This study looks at the complexity and structure of the nuclear envelope inside cells as a possible dividing line between the few immortal species such as hydra and all of the others. The authors propose that increased complexity of the nuclear structure, and thus its greater vulnerability to certain kinds of molecular damage known to be associated with aging, limits the degree to which longevity and highly proficient regeneration can evolve - though I think that this is certainly something that could be argued either way, and at length. The freshwater polyp Hydra represents a rare case of an animal with extreme longevity. It demonstrates unlimited clonal growth with no detectable signs of senescence, such as age-dependent increase in mortality or decrease in fertility, and thus is considered as non-senescent. Hydra body is made of cells of three lineages, originating from unipotent ectodermal and endodermal epithelial stem cells, and from multipotent interstitial stem cells. In contrast to most other animals, stem cells in Hydra indefinitely maintain their self-renewal capacity, thus sustaining non-senescence and everlasting asexual growth. While unlimited self-renewal capacity of the stem cells is long recognized fundamental for Hydra's non-senescence, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. So far, the transcriptional factor FoxO was found as critical regulator of Hydra stem cell homeostasis and longevity, supporting the view that comp...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs