Progerin and telomere dysfunction collaborate to trigger cellular senescence in normal human fibroblasts

J Clin Invest. 2011 Jul;121(7):2833-44. doi: 10.1172/JCI43578. Epub 2011 Jun 13.

Abstract

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), a devastating premature aging disease, is caused by a point mutation in the lamin A gene (LMNA). This mutation constitutively activates a cryptic splice donor site, resulting in a mutant lamin A protein known as progerin. Recent studies have demonstrated that progerin is also produced at low levels in normal human cells and tissues. However, the cause-and-effect relationship between normal aging and progerin production in normal individuals has not yet been determined. In this study, we have shown in normal human fibroblasts that progressive telomere damage during cellular senescence plays a causative role in activating progerin production. Progressive telomere damage was also found to lead to extensive changes in alternative splicing in multiple other genes. Interestingly, elevated progerin production was not seen during cellular senescence that does not entail telomere shortening. Taken together, our results suggest a synergistic relationship between telomere dysfunction and progerin production during the induction of cell senescence, providing mechanistic insight into how progerin may participate in the normal aging process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cellular Senescence / physiology*
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Lamin Type A / genetics
  • Lamin Type A / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Progeria / genetics
  • Progeria / physiopathology
  • Protein Precursors / genetics
  • Protein Precursors / metabolism*
  • Telomerase / genetics
  • Telomere / metabolism*
  • Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 2 / genetics

Substances

  • Lamin Type A
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Protein Precursors
  • TERF2 protein, human
  • Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 2
  • prelamin A
  • TERT protein, human
  • Telomerase