Polycomb Misregulation In Enterocytes Drives Tissue Decline In The Aging Drosophila Intestine
Our bodies’ tissues age, and with that comes a decline in their function. This research explores how the aging process affects the gut, a vital organ for nutrient absorption and overall health. We focused on how cells control which genes are active or inactive, a process crucial for proper cell function. Normally, a system called ‘Polycomb repression’ acts like a switch, turning off genes that aren’t needed. However, in the aging gut, this system starts to malfunction, particularly in the mature, specialized cells that make up most of the intestinal lining. Using fruit flies as a model, we discovered that in older gut cells, genes essential for transporting nutrients and maintaining the gut’s protective barrier are mistakenly switched off. This leads to a weakened gut barrier, making the intestine less effective. Interestingly, this decline in the gut’s integrity also triggers other changes, such as an increase in the division of aging stem cells. What’s particularly striking is that these changes in gene activity in aging cells bear a resemblance to patterns seen in aggressive human cancers. This suggests a potential shared underlying mechanism between the natural process of aging and the development of certain diseases like cancer.
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