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The Cytoskeleton as a Modulator of Aging and Neurodegeneration

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Reviews on Biomarker Studies in Aging and Anti-Aging Research

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((PMISB,volume 1178))

Abstract

The cytoskeleton consists of filamentous protein polymers that form organized structures, contributing to a multitude of cell life aspects. It includes three types of polymers: the actin microfilaments, the microtubules and the intermediate filaments. Decades of research have implicated the cytoskeleton in processes that regulate cellular and organismal aging, as well as neurodegeneration associated with injury or neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Charcot Marie Tooth disease. Here, we provide a brief overview of cytoskeletal structure and function, and discuss experimental evidence linking cytoskeletal function and dynamics with aging and neurodegeneration.

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Acknowledgements

We apologize to those colleagues, whose work could not be referenced owing to space limitations. Work in the authors’ laboratory is funded by grants from the European Research Council (ERC – GA695190 – MANNA, ERC – GA737599 – NeuronAgeScreen), the European Commission Framework Programmes, and the Greek Ministry of Education. Konstantinos Kounakis is supported by the Greek Foundation of Research and Innovation (ELIDEK).

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  1. Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece

    Konstantinos Kounakis & Nektarios Tavernarakis

  2. Department of Basic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece

    Konstantinos Kounakis & Nektarios Tavernarakis

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  1. Konstantinos Kounakis
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  2. Nektarios Tavernarakis
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Correspondence to Nektarios Tavernarakis .

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  1. Laboratory of Neuroproteomics, Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

    Paul C. Guest

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Kounakis, K., Tavernarakis, N. (2019). The Cytoskeleton as a Modulator of Aging and Neurodegeneration. In: Guest, P. (eds) Reviews on Biomarker Studies in Aging and Anti-Aging Research. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology(), vol 1178. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25650-0_12

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