Does anyone have an opinion about progeria as a model for senescence in ordinary people?
http://www.ucsf.edu/...ht-normal-aging
But in one of those expansive, “I hate to ruin your morning,” moments, Collins went on to present evidence that progerin is being made by a fraction of cells in all of us as we age, albeit in much less dramatic fashion.
Telomeres, Progerin and Normal Aging
Rather than being caused by any deadly genetic mutation we are born with, these more leisurely cellular breakdowns might involve a loss or shortening of protective telomeres, Collins suggested. Collin’s lab team found that in cells growing in the lab, when they used a chemical to un-cap the chromosome ends, it altered gene splicing and led to progerin production and cellular senescence.
“It’s clear that progerin turns on as a cell is approaching senescence,” Collins said.
“It’s not ubiquitous low-level expression.” In cells that are affected, he said, “The cells make almost as much as in a patient with the disease.”
Here is an article about lonafarnib and progeria
http://news.sciencem...xed-review.html
