Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and aging

Review of research articles published in 2009 that have made or will make a significant contribution to the study of aging – Part 10.

In 2009, there was an increased interest in microRNAs and other non-coding types of RNA involved in the process of aging and loss of the ability to reproduce. An outstanding example of this type of regulation was described when studying the signaling component of the complex of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) MKK4 (MAPK kinase kinase-4). In aging tissues and cells in the physiological aging phase, a decrease in MKK4 levels was observed, caused by a decrease in the number of four microRNAs (miRNA-15b, miRNA-24, miRNA-25 and miRNA-141) interacting with untranslated regions of MKK4 mRNA and suppressing its translation [99].

Another important class of post–translational regulatory factors, RNA-binding proteins, was also the subject of a number of studies on aging in 2009. For some RNA-binding proteins involved in the circulation and translation of proteins that affect proliferation, survival, inflammatory status, neurodegeneration and the formation of malignant tumors (HuR, AUF1, TIA-1, TTP), it turned out to be characterized by an increase in levels in a variety of human diseases characteristic of different ages. This indicates that they exert their influence throughout a person's life [100]. The RNA-binding protein TTP (tristetraproline) has attracted particular attention due to its ability to trigger the process of physiological aging [101]. It turned out that TTP is absent in a number of malignant tumors, which is consistent with the effect of physiological aging that suppresses the growth of malignant neoplasms [102].

Ending: Circadian rhythms and aging; cancer and aging.

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