Sinclair D A
Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 01215, USA.
Cell Mol Life Sci. 1999 Nov 30;56(9-10):807-16. doi: 10.1007/s000180050027.
The molecular mechanisms of aging are most fully understood for the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Recent advances in our understanding of aging in this organism have enabled researchers to answer some fundamental questions about the aging process. Is aging due to a multitude of 'mechanisms' or can there be a key few? Can we design single-gene mutations that will prolong life? Can we prolong life whilst maintaining health and fecundity? The various contributing factors to yeast longevity, uncovered thus far, fall into three classes: DNA metabolism, heterochromatin, and metabolic activity. However, these separate classes may actually represent different aspects of the same aging mechanism based on genome stability. This review examines the recent advances in our understanding of yeast aging and discusses their relevance, if any, to the human condition.
对于出芽酵母酿酒酵母，衰老的分子机制已得到最充分的理解。我们对这种生物体衰老的理解取得的最新进展，使研究人员能够回答一些有关衰老过程的基本问题。衰老是由于众多“机制”导致的，还是可能只有少数关键机制？我们能否设计出能延长寿命的单基因突变？我们能否在维持健康和繁殖力的同时延长寿命？迄今为止发现的酵母长寿的各种促成因素可分为三类：DNA代谢、异染色质和代谢活性。然而，基于基因组稳定性，这些不同的类别实际上可能代表同一衰老机制的不同方面。本综述探讨了我们对酵母衰老理解的最新进展，并讨论了它们与人类状况的相关性（如果有的话）。
