BubR1 Protein, Stem Cells, and Cell Senescence

Researchers are studying the role of the BubR1 protein and cellular senescence in adult stem cells.

Cellular senescence is the condition where a cell loses its ability to divide. Although they are no longer able to replicate, these cells are still metabolically active.

Senescent cells are cells that are attributed to aging. They are associated with features such as wrinkles and dry skin. Some cells become senescent after undergoing fifty cell division cycles (called the Hayflick phenomenon) or through other factors such as harmful toxins or damage to its DNA. For DNA related cellular senescence, the ends of DNA strands that shorter and shorter after each cell division. Once the ends called telomeres are used up, the actual genetic strands get damaged. This is when the cells stops dividing.

Senescence is an irreversible process and scientists are studying this phenomenon in relation to aging and the growth of cancerous tumors. Studies show that when senescent cells are purposely removed, it can prevent or delay tissue degradation and extend the healthspan of the body.

Cellular Structure
Credit: Wikipedia

Anti-Aging Enzyme Telomerase Successfully Mapped

Human chromosomes (grey) capped by telomeres (white)
Credit: Wikipedia

A collaboration of more than 1000 researchers have resulted in the successful mapping of the telomerase enzyme. An enzyme responsible for prolonging cellular life by protecting the chromosome.

In 2009, three doctors received the Nobel Prize for Medicine (Physiology) for the discovery of the telomerase enzyme. Telomerase is an enzyme that is believed to have a rejuvenating effect on normal cells.

Telomerase works on the telomeres which are found at the tips of cellular chromosomes. Telomeres protect the chromosome strand. These telomeres shorten after each division of the cell until it is consumed. Although normal cell division affects the telomeres, other factors such as stress, unbalanced diet, and lifestyle also can affect them.

As the telomeres shorten, the cell starts to deteriorate and may result in loss of the ability of the cell to divide, disease, and tissue/organ deterioration. A short telomere is said to be an effective biomarker (in combination with other biomarkers) for health and disease risk.

Telomerase, the enzyme, protects the telomeres and maintains it, increasing telomere length. It helps elongate telomeres after each cell replication.

Proper Cell Division Regulated By Polar Ejection Force (PEF)

Biologists at University of Massachusetts Amherst are studying a molecular cell system called Polar Ejection Force (PEF) and its role in detecting and correcting errors in cell division which can lead to cell death or human diseases.

This process of cell division replaces and repairs old and damaged tissues. There are two types of division processes; mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis is the process where the cell divides to produce two genetically identical cells.

Meiosis is a division process that is associated with sexual reproduction. It is where one diploid cell (a cell containing paired chromosomes from both parents) undergoes recombination of each pair of parental chromosomes, and then two stages of cell division, resulting in four haploid cells (gametes).

A new process of cell division called Klerokinesis has been discovered. This process is believed to ensure the integrity of the cell as it divides.

It is estimated that during one's lifetime, there would have been 1x10¹³ cell divisions that have occurred since inception.

In humans, the cell stops dividing after an average of 52 divisions. This is known as the Hayflick limit and at this stage, the cell is termed as senescent. The cells stop dividing because each division shortens the protective parts of the DNA which at the Hayflick limit is all consumed.

source: Wikipedia

New Form of Cell Division Discovered - Klerokinesis

A new form of cell division within cells of the human body has been discovered. Klerokinesis, the newly discovered process, is believed to be responsible for ensuring that the division is without fault.

Cell division is also responsible for replacing and reparing old and damaged tissues. Fundamentally, the definition of cell division is when the parent cell divides into two or more cells known as daughter cells.

Cell division is the foundation of the growth of an organism including humans. From inception up to the adult stage, cells continuously divide to develop tissues, organs, and ultimately, the organism itself.

The transference of DNA or the genome of each cell to the daughter cells is the heart of cell division. At each division, genetic information is copied to the daughter cells ensuring its integrity.

In humans, the cell stops dividing after an average of 52 divisions. This is known as the Hayflick limit and at this stage, the cell is termed as senescent. The cells stop dividing because each division shortens the protective parts of the DNA which at the Hayflick limit is all consumed.

Studying Cell Senescence And Its Relation To The Aging Of the Brain

Senescence is the change in the form and biology of a cell or organism as it ages past its maturity. When a cell loses its ability to divide, this is called cellular senescence. It must be noted that with cellular senescence, the affected cell is still metabolically active. These are called senescent cells.

Senescent cells exhibit changes in form and function which may lead to age-related changes such as wrinkles and surface dryness. Some cells become senescent after an average of 50 cycles of replication or division. Other cells become senescent because of exposure to toxins or DNA damage.

Senescence is an irreversible process and scientists are studying this phenomenon in relation to aging and the growth of cancerous tumors.

Scientists discover how the brain ages

The ageing process has its roots deep within the cells and molecules that make up our bodies. Experts have previously identified the molecular pathway that react to cell damage and stems the cell's ability to divide, known as cell senescence.

However, in cells that do not have this ability to divide, such as neurons in the brain and elsewhere, little was understood of the ageing process. Now a team of scientists at Newcastle University, led by Professor Thomas von Zglinicki have shown that these cells follow the same pathway.

This challenges previous assumptions on cell senescence and opens new areas to explore in terms of treatments for conditions such as dementia, motor neuron disease or age-related hearing loss.