The molecular mechanisms of diapause and diapause-like reversible arrest

Abstract

Diapause is a protective mechanism that many organisms deploy to overcome environmental adversities. Diapause extends lifespan and fertility to enhance the reproductive success and survival of the species. Although diapause states have been known and employed for commercial purposes, for example in the silk industry, detailed molecular and cell biological studies are an exciting frontier. Understanding diapause-like protective mechanisms will shed light on pathways that steer organisms through adverse conditions. One hope is that an understanding of the mechanisms that support diapause might be leveraged to extend the lifespan and/or health span of humans as well as species threatened by climate change. In addition, recent findings suggest that cancer cells that persist after treatment mimic diapause-like states, implying that these programs may facilitate cancer cell survival from chemotherapy and cause relapse. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms underlying diapause programs in a variety of organisms, and we discuss pathways supporting diapause-like states in tumor persister cells.

Advances in the molecular regulation mechanism of tumor dormancy and its therapeutic strategy

“…The interval during which an organism undergoes a state of reduced metabolic activity, known as stasis, is a mechanism employed to endure adverse conditions and enhance survival prospects [ 9 ]. Dormant cancer cells, characterized by cell cycle arrest, align with a stasis-like profile [ 9 – 11 ]. This profile encompasses drug-resistant persistent cells and tumor stem cells(Fig.…”

Convergent evolution associated with the loss of developmental diapause may promote extended lifespan in bees

“…However, in adults, most of the tissues are post-mitotic, meaning they cannot undergo cell division to renew themselves, limiting the extent to which lifespan can be extended by diapause alone. Adult insects that go through diapause mitigate its potential negative effects by reducing age-specific mortality through a reduced rate of senescence (Tatar and Yin 2001; Easwaran and Montell 2023). The loss of prepupal diapause associated with adaptations to reduce senescence rate may be key in promoting the overlap of generations and the evolution of social behavior in bees.…”

Altered circadian rhythm, sleep, andrhodopsin 7-dependent shade preference during diapause inDrosophila melanogaster

“…Dormancy programs such as hibernation, torpor, dauer and diapause allow animals to endure adverse environments while extending lifespan and reproductive capacity (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). Diapause is a well-documented phenomenon in numerous insect species including Drosophila, as well as in animals such as killifish and the mouse, (6,7). Diapause contributes to survival as it allows animals to halt their development and/or reproduction, and delay aging, until environmental conditions improve (8).…”