Stress response and aging

Stress and aging are causally linked. Animals that are rendered stress resistant by genetic or pharmacological means exhibit an extended lifespan. Stress itself can also extend lifespan probably by inducing endogenous stress resistance factors. Intracellular signaling pathways such as insulin/IGF-1 and JNK determine both stress resistance and aging rate by altering the expression of stress response genes. Despite this progress we have little understanding of biochemical and physiological events that underpin these relationships.

Section editors:Siu Sylvia Lee – Cornell University, Ithaca, USAJavier Apfeld – Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA