Merker K, Stolzing A, Grune T
Neuroscience Research Center, Medical Faculty (Charité), Humboldt University Berlin, Schumannstr. 20/21, D-10098, Berlin, Germany.
Mech Ageing Dev. 2001 May 31;122(7):595-615. doi: 10.1016/s0047-6374(01)00219-6.
The nature of the aging process has been the subject of considerable speculation. It is believed that free radical damage to cellular components is one of the main contributors to the aging process. Studies on proteins have shown age-related decline in enzyme activities, age-related accumulation of oxidized proteins and a decline of the proteolytic machinery of the cell. The proteasome, a highly regulated intracellular proteolytic system, is the major enzymatic system responsible for the degradation of damaged proteins. The current knowledge on regulation and of the properties of this unique proteolytic system with special emphasis to the aging process are discussed in this review. Since it is known that caloric restriction (CR) is the only method to delay the aging process and extend the maximal lifespan the effects of CR on the age-related decline in protein degradation is highlighted.
衰老过程的本质一直是大量推测的主题。人们认为，自由基对细胞成分的损伤是衰老过程的主要促成因素之一。对蛋白质的研究表明，酶活性会随着年龄增长而下降，氧化蛋白质会随着年龄增长而积累，细胞的蛋白水解机制也会衰退。蛋白酶体是一个受到高度调控的细胞内蛋白水解系统，是负责降解受损蛋白质的主要酶系统。本综述讨论了关于这个独特蛋白水解系统的调控及其特性的当前知识，特别强调了衰老过程。由于已知热量限制（CR）是延缓衰老过程和延长最大寿命的唯一方法，因此突出了热量限制对与年龄相关的蛋白质降解下降的影响。
