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Title: | STUDY OF EPIGENETIC REGULATORS AND SIGNATURES OF AGING | Authors: | NGIAN ZHEN KAI | ORCID iD: | orcid.org/0000-0002-4134-2846 | Keywords: | Drosophila, Nelf-A, healthspan, heat-shock proteins, heterochromatin, stress responses | Issue Date: | 16-Aug-2021 | Citation: | NGIAN ZHEN KAI (2021-08-16). STUDY OF EPIGENETIC REGULATORS AND SIGNATURES OF AGING. ScholarBank@NUS Repository. | Abstract: | Epigenetic alteration is a hallmark of aging, but it remains unclear if perturbation of transcription machineries may affect longevity. NELF-mediated pausing of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) constitutes an important step in transcription regulation. I found that halving NELF-A level in heterozygous mutants or via neuronal-specific depletion of NELF-A improves locomotor activity, stress resistance and lifespan of Drosophila significantly. Mechanistically, lower NELF-A releases paused RNAPII to facilitate productive transcription of the heat-shock protein (Hsp) genes. Elevated HSPs attenuate the level of protein aggregation, reactive oxidative species, DNA damage and systemic inflammation in the brains of NELF-A depleted flies. This protection is conserved in human cells where NELF-A depletion confers improved resistance against oxidative stress. Reduced oxidative DNA damage allows the maintenance of H3K9me2-enriched heterochromatin, which represses the activation of specific retrotransposons during aging. Therefore, by regulating transcription of Hsp genes in the brains, NELF-A controls multiple aspects of aging in Drosophila. | URI: | https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/214487 |
Appears in Collections: | Ph.D Theses (Open) |
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