Functional Genomics and Proteomics Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Belgium.
Ageing Res Rev. 2013 Jan;12(1):58-66. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2012.08.001. Epub 2012 Aug 23.
Since a few years convincing data are accumulating showing that some of the premises of the master integrative theory of ageing, namely Harman's Reactive Oxygen Species or free radical theory, are less well founded than originally assumed. In addition, none of the about another dozen documented ageing mechanisms seems to hold the final answer as to the ultimate cause and evolutionary significance of ageing. This review raises the question whether, perhaps, something important has been overlooked, namely a biophysical principle, electrical in nature. The first cell on earth started to be alive when its system for generating its own electricity, carried by inorganic ions, became operational. Any cell dies at the very moment that this system irreversibly collapses. In between birth and death, the system is subject to wear and tear because any cell's overall repair system is not 100 percent waterproof; otherwise adaptation would not be an option. The Fading Electricity Theory of Ageing has all necessary properties for acting as a universal major integrative concept. The advent of novel methods will facilitate the study of bioelectrical phenomena with molecular biological methods in combination with optogenetics, thereby offering challenging possibilities for innovative research in evo-gero.
近年来，令人信服的数据不断积累，表明衰老的综合理论的一些前提，即 Harman 的活性氧或自由基理论，不如最初假设的那样有充分依据。此外，在十几个已记录的衰老机制中，似乎没有一个能提供衰老的最终原因和进化意义的最终答案。这篇综述提出了一个问题，即是否有一些重要的因素被忽视了，即一个生物物理原理，本质上是电的。当第一个细胞的无机离子携带的产生自身电流的系统开始运作时，它就开始有了生命。任何细胞在这个系统不可逆地崩溃的那一刻都会死亡。在生与死之间，这个系统会受到磨损，因为任何细胞的整体修复系统都不是 100%防水的；否则，适应就不是一种选择。衰老的电力衰竭理论具有作为普遍主要综合概念的所有必要特性。新方法的出现将有助于使用分子生物学方法与光遗传学相结合来研究生物电现象，从而为进化衰老学的创新研究提供具有挑战性的可能性。
