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Review
. 2014;13(7):1063-77.
doi: 10.4161/cc.28433. Epub 2014 Mar 6.

Genetics and epigenetics of aging and longevity

Alexey A Moskalev  1 , Alexander M Aliper  2 , Zeljka Smit-McBride  3 , Anton Buzdin  4 , Alex Zhavoronkov  5
Affiliations
Review

Genetics and epigenetics of aging and longevity

Alexey A Moskalev et al. Cell Cycle. 2014.

Abstract

Evolutionary theories of aging predict the existence of certain genes that provide selective advantage early in life with adverse effect on lifespan later in life (antagonistic pleiotropy theory) or longevity insurance genes (disposable soma theory). Indeed, the study of human and animal genetics is gradually identifying new genes that increase lifespan when overexpressed or mutated: gerontogenes. Furthermore, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms are being identified that have a positive effect on longevity. The gerontogenes are classified as lifespan regulators, mediators, effectors, housekeeping genes, genes involved in mitochondrial function, and genes regulating cellular senescence and apoptosis. In this review we demonstrate that the majority of the genes as well as genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that are involved in regulation of longevity are highly interconnected and related to stress response.

Keywords: aging; epigenetics; evolution; genetics; longevity.

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Figures

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Figure 1. The effect of environmental and genetic factors on aging and the formation of age-dependent diseases.
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Figure 2. Stresses of various magnitudes affect aging rate and lifespan through different mechanisms.
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Figure 3. Longevity genes involved in stress response. The relationship between proteins is depicted with arrows, where green and red represent activation and inhibition, respectively.
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Figure 4. IGF-1-mediated signaling combined with longevity proteins that are not directly involved in stress response.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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