Keywords:
Autophagy - longevity - gene expression - gene networks - proteasome endopeptidase complex
Palavras-chave:
Autofagia - longevidade - expressão gênica - redes regurladoras de genes - complexo de endopeptidases do proteassoma
Aging is a biological process in which there is a progressive decline in the physiological capacity to respond to environmental stress, and an increase in susceptibility and vulnerability to diseases[1]. Two processes play an important role in homeostasis control and cell survival: ubiquitin-proteasome in redox signaling and the autophagy-lysosome pathway in damaged protein degradation[2].
The ubiquitin-proteasome is a multicatalytic ATP-dependent degradation system found in both cytoplasm and cell nucleus[3],[4],[5]. This system is related to the degradation of normal or abnormal proteins, and some studies have shown decreased proteasomic activity during aging in different human tissues such as muscle and epidermis[6],[7],[8].
A study developed by Lee et al.[9] showed a reversion in decreased proteasome gene expression in the skeletal muscle of mice submitted to caloric restriction, indicating that this intervention may contribute to the prevention of aging by increasing degradation of damaged proteins. Recently, the 20S proteasome was found in human blood and showed a proteolytic activity[10],[11],[12]. Although the origin of these circulating proteasomes is still unknown, some studies have reported their increased concentrations in pathological conditions such as cancer[13],[14], and suggested a correlation between proteasome concentrations and health status[10],[15],[16].
Several diseases related to aging show accumulation of oxidized proteins and the failure of autophagic pathways is suggested as a possible cause[17]. The autophagy-lysosome pathway is a cytoplasmic-restricted degradation system, related to the degradation of organelles, proteins and protein aggregates[18]. Under adequate levels of nutrients, growth factors and reactive oxygen species, autophagy is at basal levels (constitutive) with normal protein biosynthesis. However, autophagy can be induced by a stressor and the production of proteins interrupted[19].
As the molecular characterization of the autophagic machinery may allow the development of tools for a better physiological and molecular evaluation of successful aging, our objective was to quantify the expression of genes involved in autophagic machinery regulation in young, older and oldest old adult male individuals.
METHODS
Volunteers
The individuals selected for this study were previously recruited by the Department of Preventive Medicine and Discipline of Geriatrics and Gerontology of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo for a different study but the samples were not fully used. All volunteers signed a free and informed consent form. For the current study, they signed an authorization for sample use, following norms determined by the Research Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo, which approved the study (# 451631/2013). The sample consisted of male volunteers, distributed into three groups: individuals aged between 20 and 30 years (young group, n = 15), individuals aged between 60 and 70 years (older group, n = 13) and individuals between 85 and 105 years old (oldest old group, n = 10). Individuals with neoplasias or severe unmanaged diseases, such as heart diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, type 2 diabetes, or with neurological and psychiatric antecedents were excluded.
Samples previously collected
Peripheral blood was collected in EDTA tubes, centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes and the separated plasma stored at −20°C. In addition, 5 mL of blood was collected in specific tubes (PaxGene RNA collection tubes - PreAnalytiX, Switzerland) for total RNA extraction using the PaxGene kit (PaxGene blood RNA isolation kit - PreAnalytiX, Switzerland). After verification of integrity and purity, total RNA was stored at −80°C.
Proteasome
To perform proteasome quantification in plasma, we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - Proteasome ELISA Kit (Enzo Life Sciences, BML-PW0575, EUA), which employs specific antibodies for the 20S proteasome subunit. The product absorbance was detected using the SpectraMax M2 apparatus (Molecular Devices, USA).
Gene expression
Total RNA was quantified using the NanoDrop 8000 (Thermo Scientific, USA). For complementary DNA synthesis, we used the RT2 First Strand Kit (QIAGEN, Germany) plus 625 ng of RNA. Cycling parameters comprised a holding stage at 42°C for 15 minutes, followed by inactivation at 95°C for 15 minutes. The expression profile of 84 autophagic pathway-related genes was analyzed in peripheral blood RNA samples using the Superarray-RT2 Profiler” PCR Array System (QIAGEN, Germany - PAHS-084ZD-24) in the 7500 PCR Real-Time System (Applied Biosystems, USA). In addition, ACTB, B2M, GAPDH, HPRT1 and RPLP0 genes were evaluated as an endogenous control. Thermal cycling conditions comprised an initial denaturation at 95°C for 15 seconds and annealing and extension at 60°C for one minute ([Table 1]).
Table 1
Genes from autophagic machinery investigated by the Superarray - RT2 Profiler ™ PCR Array System (PAHS-084Z).
Position
|
GeneBank
|
Symbol
|
Description
|
A01
|
NM_005163
|
AKT1
|
V-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1
|
A02
|
NM_017749
|
AMBRA1
|
Autophagy/beclin-1 regulator 1
|
A03
|
NM_000484
|
APP
|
Amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein
|
A04
|
NM_031482
|
ATG10
|
ATG10 autophagy related 10 homolog (S. cerevisiae)
|
A05
|
NM_004707
|
ATG12
|
ATG12 autophagy related 12 homolog (S. cerevisiae)
|
A06
|
NM_017974
|
ATG16L1
|
ATG16 autophagy related 16-like 1 (S. cerevisiae)
|
A07
|
NM_033388
|
ATG16L2
|
ATG16 autophagy related 16-like 2 (S. cerevisiae)
|
A08
|
NM_022488
|
ATG3
|
ATG3 autophagy related 3 homolog (S. cerevisiae)
|
A09
|
NM_052936
|
ATG4A
|
ATG4 autophagy related 4 homolog A (S. cerevisiae)
|
A10
|
NM_178326
|
ATG4B
|
ATG4 autophagy related 4 homolog B (S. cerevisiae)
|
A11
|
NM_178221
|
ATG4C
|
ATG4 autophagy related 4 homolog C (S. cerevisiae)
|
A12
|
NM_032885
|
ATG4D
|
ATG4 autophagy related 4 homolog D (S. cerevisiae)
|
B01
|
NM_004849
|
ATG5
|
ATG5 autophagy related 5 homolog (S. cerevisiae)
|
B02
|
NM_006395
|
ATG7
|
ATG7 autophagy related 7 homolog (S. cerevisiae)
|
B03
|
NM_024085
|
ATG9A
|
ATG9 autophagy related 9 homolog A (S. cerevisiae)
|
B04
|
NM_173681
|
ATG9B
|
ATG9 autophagy related 9 homolog B (S. cerevisiae)
|
B05
|
NM_004322
|
BAD
|
BCL2-associated agonist of cell death
|
B06
|
NM_001188
|
BAK1
|
BCL2-antagonist/killer 1
|
B07
|
NM_004324
|
BAX
|
BCL2-associated X protein
|
B08
|
NM_000633
|
BCL2
|
B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2
|
B09
|
NM_138578
|
BCL2L1
|
BCL2-like 1
|
B10
|
NM_003766
|
BECN1
|
Beclin 1. autophagy related
|
B11
|
NM_001196
|
BID
|
BH3 interacting domain death agonist
|
B12
|
NM_004052
|
BNIP3
|
BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19kDa interacting protein 3
|
C01
|
NM_004346
|
CASP3
|
Caspase 3. apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase
|
C02
|
NM_001228
|
CASP8
|
Caspase 8. apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase
|
C03
|
NM_004064
|
CDKN1B
|
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (p27. Kip1)
|
C04
|
NM_000077
|
CDKN2A
|
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (melanoma. p16. inhibits CDK4)
|
C05
|
NM_000086
|
CLN3
|
Ceroid-lipofuscinosis. neuronal 3
|
C06
|
NM_001908
|
CTSB
|
Cathepsin B
|
C07
|
NM_001909
|
CTSD
|
Cathepsin D
|
C08
|
NM_004079
|
CTSS
|
Cathepsin S
|
C09
|
NM_003467
|
CXCR4
|
Chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4
|
C10
|
NM_004938
|
DAPK1
|
Death-associated protein kinase 1
|
C11
|
NM_018370
|
DRAM1
|
DNA-damage regulated autophagy modulator 1
|
C12
|
NM_178454
|
DRAM2
|
DNA-damage regulated autophagy modulator 2
|
D01
|
NM_004836
|
EIF2AK3
|
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha kinase 3
|
D02
|
NM_182917
|
EIF4G1
|
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 gamma. 1
|
D03
|
NM_000125
|
ESR1
|
Estrogen receptor 1
|
D04
|
NM_003824
|
FADD
|
Fas (TNFRSF6)-associated via death domain
|
D05
|
NM_000043
|
FAS
|
Fas (TNF receptor superfamily, member 6)
|
D06
|
NM_000152
|
GAA
|
Glucosidase. alpha; acid
|
D07
|
NM_007278
|
GABARAP
|
GABA(A) receptor-associated protein
|
D08
|
NM_031412
|
GABARAPL1
|
GABA(A) receptor-associated protein like 1
|
D09
|
NM_007285
|
GABARAPL2
|
GABA(A) receptor-associated protein-like 2
|
D10
|
NM_004964
|
HDAC1
|
Histone deacetylase 1
|
D11
|
NM_006044
|
HDAC6
|
Histone deacetylase 6
|
D12
|
NM_004712
|
HGS
|
Hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate
|
E01
|
NM_001017963
|
HSP90AA1
|
Heat shock protein 90kDa alpha (cytosolic). class A member 1
|
E02
|
NM_006597
|
HSPA8
|
Heat shock 70kDa protein 8
|
E03
|
NM_002111
|
HTT
|
Huntingtin
|
E04
|
NM_000619
|
IFNG
|
Interferon. gamma
|
E05
|
NM_000618
|
IGF1
|
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (somatomedin C)
|
E06
|
NM_000207
|
INS
|
Insulin
|
E07
|
NM_001145805
|
IRGM
|
Immunity-related GTPase family. M
|
E08
|
NM_005561
|
LAMP1
|
Lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1
|
E09
|
NM_181509
|
MAP1LC3A
|
Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 alpha
|
E10
|
NM_022818
|
MAP1LC3B
|
Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta
|
E11
|
NM_001315
|
MAPK14
|
Mitogen-activated protein kinase 14
|
E12
|
NM_002750
|
MAPK8
|
Mitogen-activated protein kinase 8
|
F01
|
NM_004958
|
MTOR
|
Mechanistic target of rapamycin (serine/threonine kinase)
|
F02
|
NM_003998
|
NFKB1
|
Nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells 1
|
F03
|
NM_000271
|
NPC1
|
Niemann-Pick disease. type C1
|
F04
|
NM_002647
|
PIK3C3
|
Phosphoinositide-3-kinase. class 3
|
F05
|
NM_002649
|
PIK3CG
|
Phosphoinositide-3-kinase. catalytic. gamma polypeptide
|
F06
|
NM_014602
|
PIK3R4
|
Phosphoinositide-3-kinase. regulatory subunit 4
|
F07
|
NM_006251
|
PRKAA1
|
Protein kinase. AMP-activated. alpha 1 catalytic subunit
|
F08
|
NM_000314
|
PTEN
|
Phosphatase and tensin homolog
|
F09
|
NM_130781
|
RAB24
|
RAB24. member RAS oncogene family
|
F10
|
NM_000321
|
RB1
|
Retinoblastoma 1
|
F11
|
NM_005873
|
RGS19
|
Regulator of G-protein signaling 19
|
F12
|
NM_003161
|
RPS6KB1
|
Ribosomal protein S6 kinase. 70kDa. polypeptide 1
|
G01
|
NM_000345
|
SNCA
|
Synuclein. alpha (non A4 component of amyloid precursor)
|
G02
|
NM_003900
|
SQSTM1
|
Sequestosome 1
|
G03
|
NM_000660
|
TGFB1
|
Transforming growth factor. beta 1
|
G04
|
NM_004613
|
TGM2
|
Transglutaminase 2 (C polypeptide. protein-glutamine-gamma-glutamyltransferase)
|
G05
|
NM_153015
|
TMEM74
|
Transmembrane protein 74
|
G06
|
NM_000594
|
TNF
|
Tumor necrosis factor
|
G07
|
NM_003810
|
TNFSF10
|
Tumor necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily, member 10
|
G08
|
NM_000546
|
TP53
|
Tumor protein p53
|
G09
|
NM_003565
|
ULK1
|
Unc-51-like kinase 1 (C. elegans)
|
G10
|
NM_014683
|
ULK2
|
Unc-51-like kinase 2 (C. elegans)
|
G11
|
NM_003369
|
UVRAG
|
UV radiation resistance associated gene
|
G12
|
NM_017983
|
WIPI1
|
WD repeat domain. phosphoinositide interacting 1
|
H01
|
NM_001101
|
ACTB
|
Actin. beta
|
H02
|
NM_004048
|
B2M
|
Beta-2-microglobulin
|
H03
|
NM_002046
|
GAPDH
|
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
|
H04
|
NM_000194
|
HPRT1
|
Hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1
|
H05
|
NM_001002
|
RPLP0
|
Ribosomal protein. large. P0
|
H06
|
SA_00105
|
HGDC
|
Human Genomic DNA Contamination
|
H07
|
SA_00104
|
RTC
|
Reverse Transcription Control
|
H08
|
SA_00104
|
RTC
|
Reverse Transcription Control
|
H09
|
SA_00104
|
RTC
|
Reverse Transcription Control
|
H10
|
SA_00103
|
PPC
|
Positive PCR Control
|
H11
|
SA_00103
|
PPC
|
Positive PCR Control
|
H12
|
SA_00103
|
PPC
|
Positive PCR Control
|
Gene expression quantification was obtained using ΔCT calculation, and the endogenous control CT was obtained from the arithmetic mean of two endogenous controls that showed a lower variation between groups (standard deviation > 0.1). Then, the relative gene expression was calculated by CT comparative method (ΔΔCT) using the following formula: FC = 2-ΔΔCT = 2-(ΔCT interest group - ΔCT reference group). For better visualization of variation, data were presented by fold regulation (FR) (if FC was greater than 1, FR = FC, if the HR was less than 1, the FR = -(1/FC)), which represents the number of times a gene is expressed in one group in relation to the other. Both the older and oldest old groups were compared with the young group (reference group).
Network and enrichment analysis
To investigate interactions and pathways shared by differentially expressed genes, two online software applications were used: GeneMANIA[20] (www.genemania.org]) and Enrichr[21] (http://amp.pharm.mssm.edu/Enrichr). GeneMANIA allows genes with shared or functionally similar properties to be identified. These analyses may be performed with genes of interest or with 20, 50 or 100 other genes in the interaction. In the present study, we used 20 genes. Enrichr enables enrichment analysis, where genes of interest are searched and compared in databases to verify possible pathways and over-represented cellular processes in which they may participate.
Statistical analysis
The normality of data was analyzed with Shapiro-Wilk's test and, when necessary, normalized using the Z-score. Data was compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). We used the Pearson’s correlation test to compare age and proteasome levels in each age group. Data are presented as mean ± standard error. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. However, the p value was corrected by the Benjamini-Hochberg method (pBH) for gene expression analyses. Fold regulation (FR) values greater than 1.50 (genes with increased expression) or less than −1.50 (genes with decreased expression) were used to select differentially expressed genes, and to exclude those potentially subject to methodological noise. Thus, the differentially expressed genes were those included in one of the following conditions: 1) pBH ≤ 0.05, independent of the FR value or 2) p ≤ 0.05 and FR ≥ 1.50 or FR ≤ −1.50.
RESULTS
Autophagic pathway gene expression and proteasome levels were evaluated in the individuals from three different age groups (mean ± standard deviation): young, 24.3 ± 2.2 years: older, 65.5 ± 3.0 years; and oldest old, 91.9 ± 6.1 years (F (2.35) = 999.95; p < 0.001). The mean and standard deviations of body mass index were 24.04 ± 2.74 in the young group, 25.87 ± 3.56 in the older group, and 24.94 ± 3.55 in oldest old group (F (2.35) = 1.10; p = 0.333). No difference was observed in proteasome levels between the three age groups (ANOVA; F (2.34) = 0.619 and p = 0.545; [Figure 1]). Additionally, plasma proteasome levels were not related to the individuals' ages in each group ([Figure 2]). However, when the oldest individual (105 years) was excluded from the oldest old group analysis, a statistically significant correlation was observed ([Figure 2]D).
Figure 1 Proteasome levels in young, older and oldest old groups.ANOVA. F (2.34) = 0.619 and p = 0.545. Data are presented as the mean ± standard error.
Figure 2 Pearson's correlation between proteasome levels and age in the young, older and oldest old groups.Young: n = 15, r = −0.240, p = 0.389; Older: n = 12, r = −0.097, p = 0.765; Oldest old: n = 9, r = −0.052, p = 0.894.
Regarding gene expression, from the 84 genes linked to autophagic machinery, only five were differentially expressed according to the adopted criteria: ATG4C, BCL2L1, EIF2AK3, EIF4G1 and TP53 ([Table 2]). The ATG4C gene was significantly less expressed in the oldest old group when compared with the young group (1.91-fold decrease); in addition, there was also a difference in the older group when compared with the oldest old (1.47-fold increase; p = 0.031). The BCL2L1 gene was significantly more expressed in the oldest old when compared with the young group (increase of 1.91 times). The EIF2AK3 gene was significantly less expressed in the older group (1.46-fold decrease), as well as in oldest old individuals when compared with the young group (1.44-fold decrease). The EIF4G1 gene was significantly less expressed in the older and oldest old when compared with the young group (decrease of 1.47 and 1.32 times, respectively). The TP53 gene was significantly less expressed in the older and oldest old when compared with the young group (decrease of 1.57 and 1.66-fold, respectively).
Table 2
Differentially expressed genes in older and oldest old in relation the young group.
Genes
|
pBH
|
p
|
Older (N=13)
|
oldest old (N=10)
|
FR
|
pa
|
FR
|
pb
|
ATG4C
|
0.008
|
<0.001
|
-1.30
|
0.136
|
-1.91
|
<0.001
|
BCL2L1
|
0.277
|
0.030
|
1.1 1
|
1.000
|
1.91
|
0.033
|
EIF2AK3
|
0.026
|
0.001
|
-1.46
|
0.003
|
-1.44
|
0.009
|
EIF4G1
|
0.011
|
<0.001
|
-1.47
|
<0.001
|
-1.32
|
0.021
|
TP53
|
0.002
|
<0.001
|
-1.57
|
<0.001
|
-1.66
|
<0.001
|
pBH: p value corrected by Benjamini-Hochberg method; FR: fold regulation in relation to the young group; p: referent ANOVA values from 2−ΔCT; pa: t test results from 2−ΔCT values between the older and young groups; pb: t test results from 2−ΔCT values between the oldest old and young groups.
In the network analysis, we observed that from the five differentially expressed genes, only two showed evidence of some interaction — TP53 and BCL2L1 ([Figure 3]). When the other 20 genes were added, we observed that four of the five genes showed some type of interaction, the exception being ATG4C ([Figure 4]). The enrichment analysis was divided into two stages: the first was done with the five differentially expressed genes, and the second with the differentially expressed genes plus the genes that showed the most frequent pathways in the network analysis (HSPA5, SIN3A and EIF2S1). In the first step, the following databases were used: TRANSFAC and JASPAR PWMs, ENCODE TF ChIP-seq 2015, ESCAPE, ENCODE TF ChIP-seq and GO Biological Process 2013. The databases used in the second stage were: ChEA, TRANSFAC and JASPAR PWMs, ENCODE TF ChIP-seq 2015, transcription factor PPIs, ESCAPE, ENCODE TF ChIP-seq. All databases used in the first and second stages showed direct or indirect linkage of the genes analyzed with the transcription process.
Figure 3 Interactions between the five differentially expressed genes among the young, older and oldest old groups.Blue line: interaction by pathways; pink line: physical interaction; orange line: prediction of protein-protein interaction.
Figure 4 Interaction of five differentially expressed genes in the young, older and oldest old groups after inclusion of 20 genes in the network analysis.Light blue line: interaction by pathways; pink line: physical interaction; purple line: co-expression; green line: genetic interaction; dark blue line: co-localization; brown line: shared protein domains; orange line: protein-protein interaction prediction.
DISCUSSION
The accumulation of macromolecules and damaged organelles is one of the most predominant alterations found in aged cells, and the main cause is related to a deficient autophagic process[22]. Studies in C. elegans and D. melanogaster have shown that the loss of function of autophagy genes is related to an accumulation of damaged organelles and proteins, accelerated aging and shortened life span[23],[24],[25]. To evaluate the contribution of the autophagic machinery in successful aging, we quantified the expression of 84 genes related to the autophagic pathway in young, older and oldest old individuals; five presented with differential expression between the studied groups: ATG4C, BCL2L1, TP53, EIF2AK3 and EIF4G1.
The ATG4C encodes a protein with protease activity involved in autophagic vacuole formation. However, studies suggest that this protein is not essential to generate the basal level of autophagy required, since knockout mice for the ATG4C gene exhibit normal development[24]. In contrast, knockouts for this gene are more likely to develop fibrosarcoma when exposed to carcinogenic chemicals compared with wild-type animals[26]. The lower expression of ATG4C observed in the oldest old people group does not suggest lower autophagic activity per se, but may contribute to a higher risk of these individuals developing tumors, a condition that could be related to aging. On the other hand, the increased expression of BCL2L1 observed in the older and oldest old groups indicates that autophagy levels decrease during aging[27]. The BCL2L1 is a co-regulator of autophagy and apoptosis and proteins from the BCL-2 family may also interact with p53 in the induction of autophagy. P53 exhibits tumor suppressor activity and the ability to control autophagic processes and cellular senescence[28],[29]. In the current study, there was decreased TP53 expression in both the oldest old and older groups in relation to the young group, suggesting that the autophagic process decreases with increased age. In addition, decreased expression of EIF2AK3 and EIF4G1 in both the oldest old and older individuals reflects the body's declining ability to maintain reticulum homeostasis and cellular processes with increasing age[19],[30]. The EIF2AK3 and EIF4G1 proteins, respectively, are associated with endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis and the initiation of translation of mRNAs related to mitochondrial activity and cellular bioenergetics[19],[30].
Studies have suggested that proteasome activity declines during cellular senescence and aging in both animal models and humans[31]. However, a study performed by Chondrogianni and colleagues showed similar functional proteasomes in human fibroblasts cultures from centenarian and young donors[8]. In the current study, we evaluated, for the first time, the plasmatic proteasome levels in the young, older and oldest old groups and we did not observe a significant difference between them. Although there is no evidence that plasmatic proteasome concentrations reflect the intracellular proteasome activity, we hypothesized that the similarity of plasma proteasome concentrations between the groups found in our samples could be one of the factors contributing to the longevity in the oldest old group. In fact, we previously observed that these same oldest old individuals had a more favorable lipid profile compared with the other groups[32]. An increase in SIRT2 expression in the oldest old people was also observed when compared with the young group (unpublished data). The increase in SIRT2 seems to contribute to the promotion of longevity by increasing levels of autophagy[33]. More recently, several studies have shown the impact of caloric restriction on sirtuin levels, which in turn act on autophagic pathways and contribute to increased life expectancy[34]. In the network analysis of differentially expressed genes, we identified interactions between the TP53 and BCL2L1 genes, which was expected, as several studies have shown the promotion of autophagy by the interaction of TP53 with the Bcl-2 family proteins[35]
-
[37]. However, when we added 20 other genes to this network, four of the five differentially expressed genes had some type of interaction, with ATG4C being the exception ([Figure 4]). The interaction between the four genes is related to the regulation of transcription, an extremely important process for cell functioning[38]. During the aging process, some genes have increased expression, such as those related to cell adhesion and immune response[39], while others have decreased expression, such as genes that participate in lipid metabolism[39] and those involved in the electron transport chain[40],[41].
In conclusion, the ATG4C, BCL2L1, TP53, EIF2AK3 and EIF4G1 genes differed preferentially when comparing the oldest old and older with the young group, suggesting that autophagy and some processes like maintenance of metabolism and control of gene expression are impaired when the individual ages. On the other hand, the similarity in the expression pattern observed between the older and oldest old suggests that the maintenance of these pathways related to homeostasis plays an important role in increasing life expectancy. In general, these findings, together with the maintenance of proteasome levels observed in the oldest old individuals, point to the maintenance of autophagy as a crucial factor for longevity.