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Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Measurement of Protein Turnover Rates in Senescent and Non-Dividing Cultured Cells with Metabolic Labeling and Mass Spectrometry
Published on: April 6, 2022
Pineal gland senescence: an emerging ageing-related pathology?
Emma Short1,2, Ramzi Ajjan3, Thomas M Barber4,5
1Cardiff School of Technologies, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK. eshort@cardiffmet.ac.uk.
Abstract:
An ageing-related pathology has recently been described as one that develops and/or progresses with increasing chronological age, that is associated with, or contributes to, functional decline and that is evidenced by studies in humans. The pineal gland is a photo-neuroendocrine organ whose primary function is to produce and secrete melatonin in response to light-dark cycle environmental cues. The gland may undergo ageing-related structural and morphological changes, including calcification, gliosis, cyst formation, and reduced density of β-adrenergic receptors, which are hypothesised to reduce melatonin secretion. Pineal gland senescence describes the ageing-related decline in neuroendocrine function, with reduced secretion of melatonin, which may contribute to ageing-related sleep disorders and disruption of other circadian-driven physiological functions and may have secondary effects such as contributing to cognitive and mood disorders related to sleep disturbance.
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