Organization of cell nucleus changes with age

What is it about?

The prevailing theory is that the aging process is genetically determined. In fact, differences in gene expression profiles were found along aging in several tissues, including humans. Since gene expression can be controlled by chromatin structure, which is the form in which the genes are organized inside the cell nucleus, it is expected that a relationship between aging and changes in chromatin structure can be found.

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Why is it important?

Almost all tissues in mammals have their functions negatively affected by the aging process. However, the aging of the brain, which leads to cognitive decline and memory loss, for example, plays a key role in the social impact of human aging. The knowledge of how the aging process affects the cell nucleus and gene expression in neurons can be used to find ways to control the molecular alterations and modulate how the central nervous system ages, prolonging its normal functions on the elderly.