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Understanding the Role of ztor in Aging-related Diseases Using the Zebrafish Model
Eng-Soon Khor1, Suzita Mohd Noor2, Pooi-Fong Wong3
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract:
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a 289 kDa serine/threonine protein kinase of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-related family is known for its role in regulating lifespan and the aging process in humans and rodents. Aging in zebrafish very much resembles aging in humans. Aged zebrafish often manifest with spinal curvature, cataracts and cognitive frailty, akin to human age-related phenotypical effects such as osteoarthritis, dwindling vision and cognitive dysfunction. However, the role of the zebrafish orthologue of mTOR, ztor, is less defined in these areas. This review paper discusses the tale of growing old in the zebrafish, the physiological roles of ztor in normal developmental processes and its involvement in the pathogenesis of aging-related diseases such as metabolic disorders and cancers.
Insights
Zebrafish aging mirrors human aging, with the ztor protein kinase playing a key role. This review explores ztor's function in zebrafish development and aging-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
- Zebrafish models
Background:
- The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway regulates lifespan and aging in mammals.
- Zebrafish aging shares similarities with human aging, exhibiting phenotypes like spinal curvature and cataracts.
- The role of the zebrafish mTOR orthologue (ztor) in aging is not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the aging process in zebrafish.
- To discuss the physiological roles of ztor in zebrafish development.
- To explore ztor's involvement in aging-related diseases in zebrafish.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on zebrafish aging and mTOR signaling.
- Comparative analysis of aging phenotypes between zebrafish and humans.
- Examination of ztor's known functions in zebrafish development and disease.
Main Results:
- Zebrafish aging presents phenotypes analogous to human age-related conditions.
- Ztor is implicated in normal zebrafish development.
- Ztor signaling is potentially involved in zebrafish metabolic disorders and cancers.
Conclusions:
- Zebrafish serve as a valuable model for studying human aging processes.
- Further research into ztor's function can provide insights into aging and age-related diseases.
- Understanding ztor's role may lead to therapeutic strategies for age-related conditions.
