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Review
. 2013 Dec 15;12(24):3736-42.
doi: 10.4161/cc.27188. Epub 2013 Nov 15.

Aging is not programmed: genetic pseudo-program is a shadow of developmental growth

Mikhail V Blagosklonny  1
Affiliations
Review

Aging is not programmed: genetic pseudo-program is a shadow of developmental growth

Mikhail V Blagosklonny. Cell Cycle. .

Abstract

Aging is not and cannot be programmed. Instead, aging is a continuation of developmental growth, driven by genetic pathways such as mTOR. Ironically, this is often misunderstood as a sort of programmed aging. In contrast, aging is a purposeless quasi-program or, figuratively, a shadow of actual programs.

Keywords: evolution; geroconversion; gerosuppression; rapalogs; rapamycin; selection; senescence.

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Figures

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Figure 1. From cellular growth to hypertrophic senescence (geroconversion). Gerogenic conversion (geroconversion) from cellular growth to cellular aging, when the cell cycle is arrested. Geroconversion is a continuation of growth driven by mTOR and related pathways.
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Figure 2. From delelopmental growth (program) to aging (shadow). Quasi-programmed aging is driven by over-activation of signal-transduction pathways such as TOR and exacerbation of normal cellular functions, which become harmful (hyper-function), leading to alterations of homeostasis, malfunctions, diseases, and organ damage.
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