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DNA damage, cellular senescence and organismal ageing: causal or correlative?

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Chen, Jian-Hua 
Hales, C Nicholes 
Ozanne, Susan E 

Abstract

Cellular senescence has long been used as a cellular model for understanding mechanisms underlying the ageing process. Compelling evidence obtained in recent years demonstrate that DNA damage is a common mediator for both replicative senescence, which is triggered by telomere shortening, and premature cellular senescence induced by various stressors such as oncogenic stress and oxidative stress. Extensive observations suggest that DNA damage accumulates with age and that this may be due to an increase in production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decline in DNA repair capacity with age. Mutation or disrupted expression of genes that increase DNA damage often result in premature ageing. In contrast, interventions that enhance resistance to oxidative stress and attenuate DNA damage contribute towards longevity. This evidence suggests that genomic instability plays a causative role in the ageing process. However, conflicting findings exist which indicate that ROS production and oxidative damage levels of macromolecules including DNA do not always correlate with lifespan in model animals. Here we review the recent advances in addressing the role of DNA damage in cellular senescence and organismal ageing.

Description

Keywords

Aging, Animals, Cellular Senescence, DNA Damage, DNA, Mitochondrial, Humans

Journal Title

Nucleic Acids Res

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0305-1048
1362-4962

Volume Title

35

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)
Sponsorship
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/E002161/1)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/E00797X/1)