Cellular senescence

Cellular Senescence

Cellular senescence (pronunciation: /sɪˈnɛsəns/) is a state in which normal cells cease to divide. In their culture, senescent cells can remain viable, but they do not proliferate. If damaged cells bypass this control point, they may give rise to cancer cells.

Etymology

The term "senescence" is derived from the Latin word senex, meaning "old man" or "old age" or "advanced in age".

Definition

Cellular senescence is a biological process by which a cell loses its ability to divide and grow. This is a protective mechanism that prevents the propagation of cells that have sustained damage to their DNA. Senescence can be triggered by a variety of factors, including DNA damage, oxidative stress, and activation of oncogenes.

Types of Cellular Senescence

There are several types of cellular senescence, including replicative senescence, stress-induced premature senescence, and oncogene-induced senescence.

• Replicative senescence is the process by which cells stop dividing after a certain number of divisions. This is often due to the shortening of telomeres, the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes.

• Stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) occurs when cells are exposed to stressors such as radiation or oxidative stress.

• Oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) is a response to the activation of oncogenes, which are genes that have the potential to cause cancer.

Role in Disease

Cellular senescence plays a crucial role in the development of age-related diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Senescent cells can accumulate over time and contribute to tissue dysfunction and aging.

Related Terms

• Apoptosis: A form of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms.
• Autophagy: The natural, regulated mechanism of the cell that removes unnecessary or dysfunctional components.
• Mitosis: A part of the cell cycle in which replicated chromosomes are separated into two new nuclei.

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