The molecular chaperones and the phenomena of cellular immortalization and apoptosis in vitro

The molecular chaperones are housekeeping molecules that assist in the folding and prevention of the aggregation of proteins and nucleotides, as well as participating in the elimination of ubiquitinated molecules. Evidence is reviewed to suggest that the Werner protein is a DNA chaperone and also that an increase in the expression of the molecular chaperones is the common denominator in the extension of cellular and species longevity as well as in the process of cellular immortalization, the inherent immortality of germ cells, and the inhibition of cellular apoptosis. It is possible that the immortalization of normal somatic cells is caused by an accidental reprogramming of the genome, recreating the chaperone expression of the germ cells. It is suggested that the molecular chaperones are evolution facilitators determining the life span of individual cells as the evolution of longevity in species.