Can Metabolic Mechanisms of Stem Cell Maintenance Explain Aging and the Immortal Germline?

Hans-Willem Snoeck

doi:10.1016/j.stem.2015.04.021

Can Metabolic Mechanisms of Stem Cell Maintenance Explain Aging and the Immortal Germline?

Cell Stem Cell. 2015 Jun 4;16(6):582-4. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2015.04.021.

Author

Hans-Willem Snoeck¹

Affiliation

¹ Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

Abstract

The mechanisms underlying the aging process are not understood. Even tissues endowed with somatic stem cells age while the germline appears immortal. I propose that this paradox may be explained by the pervasive use of glycolysis by somatic stem cells as opposed to the predominance of mitochondrial respiration in gametes.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aging / physiology*
Animals
Biological Evolution
Germ Cells / physiology*
Humans
Mitochondria / metabolism
Models, Biological
Stem Cells / cytology*
Stem Cells / metabolism*

Grants and funding

R01 AG029626/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States