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Definition: What are the mechanisms that regulate cellular senescence?

There are several mechanisms that regulate cellular senescence:

1. Telomere shortening: Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. When telomeres become critically short, they trigger a DNA damage response, leading to cellular senescence.

2. DNA damage response: DNA damage, caused by factors like radiation, toxins, or errors during DNA replication, activates a signaling cascade known as the DNA damage response. This response includes the activation of tumor suppressor proteins, such as p53 and p16INK4a, which induce cell cycle arrest and senescence.

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3. Oxidative stress: Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are byproducts of cellular metabolism, can cause oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids. Accumulation of oxidative damage can lead to cellular senescence.

4. Oncogene activation: Certain oncogenes, such as RAS and BRAF, when activated, can induce cellular senescence as a protective mechanism against uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation.

5. Senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP): Senescent cells secrete a variety of pro-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and matrix metalloproteinases, collectively known as SASP. SASP can promote tissue remodeling, immune responses, and senescence in neighboring cells.

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6. Epigenetic changes: Alterations in the epigenetic landscape, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, can contribute to the regulation of cellular senescence. These changes can affect the expression of genes involved in senescence pathways.

Understanding the mechanisms that regulate cellular senescence is crucial for developing interventions to delay or reverse aging-related processes and age-related diseases.

Keywords: senescence, cellular, damage, response, oxidative, mechanisms, regulate, growth, activation