Aging as a Mitochondria‐Mediated Atavistic Program: Can Aging Be Switched Off?

Abstract

Programmed death phenomena have been demonstrated on subcellular (mitoptosis), cellular (apoptosis), and supracellular (collective apoptosis) levels. There are numerous examples of suicide mechanisms at the organismal level (phenoptosis). In yeast, it was recently shown that the death of aging cells is programmed. Many of the steps of programmed cell death are shown to be common for yeast and animals, including mammals. In particular, generation of the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) is involved in the suicide programs. Aging of higher animals is accompanied by an increase in damage induced by mitochondrial ROS. Perhaps prevention of such damage by scavenging of mitochondrial ROS might slow down or even switch off the aging programs.

A biochemical approach to the problem of aging: “Megaproject” on membrane-penetrating ions. The first results and prospects

“…Based on these phenomena, it has been concluded that at least unicellular organisms possess mechanisms for self-elimination. Such phenomena that we have coined "phenoptosis" [1] are also inherent in multicellular organisms, but their molecular mechanisms are still to be elucidated [2,5,6].…”

“…This hypothesis has been supported by the finding that the oxidation level of DNA, proteins, and lipids increases with aging. This situation can be a consequence of an increase in ROS production or a decrease in the antioxidant defense in old age, or simply a result of the prolonged damaging action of ROS accumulated proportionally to the organism's age [1,2,5,6]. In the framework of the theory of programmed aging, Harman's hypothesis has to be supplemented by an assumption that an increase in the ROS-induced damages with time is controlled by the organism, similarly to any other change occurring during ontogenesis.…”

Program‐like aging and mitochondria: Instead of random damage by free radicals

“…If all yeast were altruistic, the population would go extinct too. Nevertheless, death of most members can prevent extinction of the population in certain conditions [Skulachev, 2002;Skulachev and Longo, 2005]. However, it is selfish (resistant to apoptosis) yeast that actually survived [Fabrizio et al, 2004].…”

“…The strongest argument for ''altruistic'' programmed aging is that unicellular organisms such as yeast undergo aging and programmed cell death [Skulachev, 2002;Longo et al, 2005;Pozniakovsky et al, 2005;Skulachev and Longo, 2005]. For example, in growthlimiting conditions most yeast (''altruistic yeast'') die, while a few apoptosis-resistant (''selfish'') yeast survive and regrow [Fabrizio et al, 2004].…”

Interconnection of Antitoxic and Antioxidant Systems of the Organism under the Action of Natural Low Molecular Complex – Fungidol

“…Antioxidants which are numerous and it is possible to "regulate" quantitative manifestations of an oxidative stress and, as a result, to eliminate pathologies [11].…”