Suresh IS Rattan, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
Published online: May 2005
DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0003862
The idea of gerontogenes is in line with the evolutionary explanation of the ageing process as being caused by the absence of maintenance and repair, rather than an active, evolutionarily selected process. The term ‘gerontogenes’, therefore, refers to an altered state of those genes that influence ageing and longevity.
Keywords: ageing; homeostasis; homeodynamics; lifespan; longevity assurance
| Further Reading | |
| Carnes BA, Olshansky SJ and Grahn D (2003) Biological evidence for limits to the duration of life. Biogerontology 4: 31–45. | |
| Hasty P, Campisi J, Hoeijmakers J, van Steeg H and Vijg J (2003) Aging and genome maintenance: lessons from the mouse? Science 299: 1355–1359. | |
| Hekimi S and Guarente L (2003) Genetics and the specificity of the aging process. Science 299: 1351–1354. | |
| Jazwinski SM (1996) Longevity, genes, and aging. Science 273: 54–59. | |
| Johnson TE, Henderson S, Murakami S et al. (2002) Longevity genes in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegansalso mediate increased resistance to stress and prevent disease. Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease 25: 197–206. | |
| Perls T, Kunkel L and Puca A (2002) The genetics of aging. Current Opinion in Genetics and Development 12: 362–369. | |
| Rattan SIS (1995) Gerontogenes: real or virtual? FASEB Journal 9: 284–286. | |
| Rattan SIS (2001) Applying hormesis in aging research and therapy. Human and Experimental Toxicology 20: 281–285. | |
| book Rattan SIS (ed.) (2003) Modulating Aging and Longevity. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers. | |
| SAGE KE: Science of Aging Knowledge Environment (2003). [http://sageke.sciencemag.org] [Maintains a comprehensive list of gerontogenes]. | |
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