Genetic and Molecular Basis for Cellular Senescence

  • J. Carl Barrett
  • Lois A. Annab
  • P. Andrew Futreal
Chapter
Part of the Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology book series (AEMB, volume 330)

Abstract

Normal human and rodent cells in culture exhibit a finite life span at the end of which they exhibit morphological changes and cease proliferating, a process termed cellular senescence or cellular aging. Many cancer cells differ from normal cells in that they do not senesce and have an indefinite life span in culture, suggesting that alterations relating to cellular senescence are involved in the neoplastic evolution of tumor cells. Recent experimental results strongly support a genetic basis for cellular senescence. Defects in the senescence program in transformed cells can be corrected by introduction of a specific chromosome from normal cells into the abnormal cells. Using this approach, possible senescence genes have been mapped to specific chromosomes. Cell cycle control genes that regulate entry into the DNA synthetic phase of the cell cycle must be altered in senescent cells. Recent findings suggest that phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma gene is altered in senescent cells. It is possible, but not yet proven, that aging at the cellular level contributes to the aging of the individual. Therefore, an understanding of cellular senescence at the genetic and molecular levels may provide new insights into both the cancer and aging processes.

Keywords

Cellular Senescence Population Doubling Senescent Cell Senescence Gene Population Doubling Level 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 1993

Authors and Affiliations

  • J. Carl Barrett
    • 1
  • Lois A. Annab
    • 1
  • P. Andrew Futreal
    • 1
  1. 1.Laboratory of Molecular CarcinogenesisNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesResearch Triangle ParkUSA

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