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Review

Autophagy and Aging: The Importance of Maintaining "Clean" Cells

Ana Maria Cuervo, Ettore Bergamini, Ulf T Brunk, Wulf Dröge, Martine Ffrench and Alexei Terman

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A decrease in the rate of protein turnover and the intracellular accumulation of altered proteins in cytosol and membranes are features common to all aged cells. Diminished autophagic activity plays a major role in these age-related manifestations. In this work we review the molecular defects responsible for the malfunctioning of two forms of autophagy - macroautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy - in old mammals, and highlight general and cell-type specific consequences of dysfunction of the autophagic system with age. Dietary caloric restriction and antilipolytic agents have been proven to efficiently stimulate autophagy in old rodents. These and other possible restorative efforts are discussed.

Authors

Ana Maria Cuervo

Ettore Bergamini

Ulf T Brunk

Wulf Dröge

Martine Ffrench

Alexei Terman

 Download PDF

If the document does not open, please right-click on the link (control-click on a Macintosh) and select the option to save the file to disk.