Biomedical Engineering ETDs
Publication Date
Fall 12-15-2023
Abstract
Aging is a highly complicated, fundamental biological process that exists in all organisms, with few exceptions. Evolutionary evidence suggests that aging is plastic, given the vastly different lifespans of closely related species. Studies into simple model organisms such as the budding yeast S. cerevisiae and the nematode C. elegans have led to the identification of genes whose deletion extends lifespan, many of which are conserved in humans. In many cases, these gene deletions remove the brakes from lifespan-enhancing processes in the organism. Of interest here, deletions of genes belonging to large ribosomal subunits in yeast first unveiled the highly conserved, stress-responsive transcription factor Gcn4 (yeast) / ATF-4 (worms) / ATF4 (flies, mammals) as a mediator of lifespan. Since then, this transcription factor has been studied extensively and has been shown to be responsible for lifespan extension under conditions of lowered protein synthesis. In this dissertation, I take you through Gcn4 / ATF-4 / ATF4’s aging story.
Language
English
Keywords
aging; ATF4; autophagy; proteasome; hormesis; homeostasis;
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Biomedical Engineering
Level of Degree
Doctoral
Department Name
Biomedical Engineering
First Committee Member (Chair)
Mark A McCormick
Second Committee Member
Matthew Campen
Third Committee Member
Curt Hines
Fourth Committee Member
Mike Mandell
Recommended Citation
Mariner, Blaise L. and Mark A. McCormick. "Induction of proteasomal activity in mammalian cells by lifespan-extending tRNA synthetase inhibitors." (2023). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/bme_etds/45
Included in
Genetic Processes Commons, Medical Biochemistry Commons, Medical Molecular Biology Commons, Molecular Biology Commons, Other Medicine and Health Sciences Commons
