Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

The studies conducted by Rera et al. successfully demonstrate a new role for dPGC-1 and mitochondrial biogenesis in ISC homeostasis and longevity. How does it all work? dPGC-1 overexpression increases levels of anti-oxidative enzymes to decrease oxidative damage and conserve ISC homeostasis. Preserved ISC homeostasis is required for gut maintenance, which is necessary for normal energy supply and/or prevention of microbial or toxin overload. All of these factors may contribute to delaying the onset of age related phenotypes. As Zhou et al. (2011) suggested, it is also possible that an unknown factor/s released by PGC-1 overexpression in ISCs/EBs regulates longevity directly or through affecting other longevity pathways. This work highlights the complex influence of dPGC-1 on aging at the cellular level as well as at the organismal level. Overall the data presented by Rera et al. (2011) links two major components of aging and has uncovered an attractive target for the modulation of aging.

Comments

Published in Open Access journal : Front Genet. 2012;3:108. Epub 2012 Jun 13.

PMID:22707956

[PubMed - in process]
PMCID:PMC3374461
Free PMC Article

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