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Invertebrates as model organisms for research on aging biology.
Mahadev Murthy1, Jeffrey L Ram2
1Division of Aging Biology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD 20892 , USA.
Invertebrate Reproduction & Development
|August 5, 2015
Summary
New invertebrate models, like Hydra and sea urchins, offer better insights into aging and longevity mechanisms in humans. These basal organisms share more genetic similarities and possess advanced tools for aging research.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Developmental Biology
- Comparative Genomics and Invertebrate Models
Background:
- Nematodes and fruit flies are established invertebrate models for aging research, providing insights into genetics and cellular biology.
- Limitations of current models necessitate exploring new systems for a deeper understanding of aging and longevity mechanisms relevant to humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce novel invertebrate model systems for aging research, focusing on organisms with greater relevance to human biology.
- To highlight the advantages of using basal invertebrates and deuterostomes for studying aging and longevity mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Review of 10 articles presented at the NIA-NIH symposium on aging in invertebrate model systems.
- Comparative analysis of genetic homology and biological characteristics between established and novel invertebrate models and humans.
Main Results:
- Cnidarians (e.g., Hydra) and deuterostomes (e.g., Botryllus schlosseri, Ciona, sea urchins) possess more genetic orthologs in common with humans compared to nematodes and fruit flies.
- These novel models exhibit regeneration and stem cell functions more similar to humans.
- Development of new molecular and genetic tools enhances their utility for aging research.
Conclusions:
- Basal invertebrates and deuterostomes represent promising new model systems for advancing the understanding of aging and longevity.
- Their genetic and biological similarities to humans offer unique advantages for translational aging research.
