The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.
Damage to the ends of your chromosomes can create zombie cells that are still alive but cant function, according to our recently published study in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology.
When cells prepare to divide, their DNA is tightly wound around proteins to form chromosomes that provide structure and support for genetic material. At the ends of these chromosomes are repetitive stretches of DNA called telomeres that form a protective cap to prevent damage to the genetic material. However, telomeres shorten each time a cell divides. This means that as cells divide more and more as you age, your telomeres become increasingly shorter and more likely to lose their ability to protect your DNA.
Damage to genetic material can lead to mutations that cause cells to divide uncontrollably, resulting in cancer. Cells avoid becoming cancerous when their telomeres become too short after dividing too many times and potentially accruing damage along the way, however, by entering a zombielike state that stops cells from from dividing through a process called cellular senescence.
Because they are resistant to death, senescent or zombie cells accumulate with age. They can be beneficial to health by promoting senescence in nearby cells at risk of becoming cancerous and attracting immune cells to clear out cancer cells. But they can also contribute to disease by impairing tissue healing and immune function, and by secreting chemicals that promote inflammation and tumor growth.
We wanted to know if direct damage to telomeres can be sufficient to trigger senescence and make zombie cells. In order to figure this out, we needed to confine damage just to the telomeres. So we attached a protein to the telomeres of human cells grown in the lab. Then we added a dye to the protein that makes it sensitive to light. Shining a far-red light (or light with a wavelength slightly shorter than infrared light) on the cells induces the protein to produce oxygen free radicals highly reactive molecules that can damage DNA right at the telomeres, sparing the rest of the chromosome and the cell.
We found that direct damage to the telomeres was sufficient to turn cells into zombies, even when these protective caps werent shortened. The reason for this, we discovered, was likely a result of disrupted DNA replication at the telomeres that leaves chromosomes even more susceptible to damage or mutations.
Telomeres naturally shorten with age. They limit how many times a cell can divide by signaling cells to become zombies when they reach a certain length. But an excess of free radicals produced from both normal bodily processes as well as exposure to harmful chemicals like air pollution and tobacco smoke can lead to a condition called oxidative stress that can accelerate telomere shortening. This can prematurely trigger senescence and contribute to age-related diseases, including immunodeficiency, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease and cancer.
Our study reveals that telomeres not only serve as alarm clocks that indicate a cell divided too many times, but also as warning bells for harmful levels of oxidative stress. Age-related shortening of telomeres isnt the only thing that triggers senescence; telomere damage is also sufficient to turn a cell into a zombie.
Researchers are studying treatments and interventions that can protect telomeres from damage and prevent zombie cell accumulation. A number of studies in mice have found that removing zombie cells can promote healthy aging by improving cognitive function, muscle mass and function and recovery from viral infections.
Researchers are also developing drugs called senolytics that can either kill zombie cells or prevent them from developing in the first place.
This study focuses on the consequences of telomere damage in actively dividing cells, like kidney and skin cells. Were now looking at how this damage will play out in cells that dont divide, like neurons or heart muscle cells. While researchers have shown that the telomeres of nondividing cells and tissues become more dysfunctional with age, its unclear why this happens when these telomeres should not be shortening in the first place.
- Zombie car factories on the rise in China as buyers opt for EVs - Financial Times - March 16th, 2024
- Hey, Remember When Rob Zombie Was Going To Direct THE CROW 3? - FANGORIA - March 16th, 2024
- New Walking Dead Twist Shows How The Zombie Outbreak Will Finally End - Screen Rant - March 16th, 2024
- Candid conversations from death row with The Zombie Hunter - Arizona's Family - March 16th, 2024
- Zombie! The Musical - REVIEW - City Hub Sydney - March 16th, 2024
- A Gorgeous Harp and Guitar String Duet of 'Zombie' by The Cranberries in Honor of Alexei Navalny - Laughing Squid - March 16th, 2024
- Y2K Review: A 1999 Youth Nostalgia Comedy That Turns Into an Attack-of-the-Computers Zombie Movie. But Only the First One Is Fun - Variety - March 16th, 2024
- AMC Announces Every Zombie in The Walking Dead Getting Its Own Spin-Off - Hard Drive - March 16th, 2024
- The Growing Threat of Zombie Code - CXOToday.com - March 16th, 2024
- The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever Gets Theatrical Return For Anniversary - Giant Freakin Robot - March 16th, 2024
- You won't expect which fighting game character pops up in this random mobile zombie game trailer for a bizarre ... - EventHubs - March 16th, 2024
- Coby White, Butler and the 'Zombie Heat,' Fontecchio Are All Here to Stay - Canis Hoopus - March 16th, 2024
- 'Land of the Dead' 19 Years Later: Romero's Return Was Smarter Than the Average Zombie Movie - Bloody Disgusting - March 16th, 2024
- Z Nation Season 6: SYFY Tease Return of Zombie Series 6 Years After Its Death - ComingSoon.net - March 16th, 2024
- Zombie! The Musical (Hayes Theatre Co) - Limelight - March 16th, 2024
- Get This Definitive Edition Zombie Game For Free Right Now On Steam - Screen Rant - February 19th, 2024
- The Best Ghost and Zombie Movie Romances - Vulture - February 19th, 2024
- The couple trying to keep killer 'zombie viruses' at bay - and protect us from another pandemic - The Telegraph - February 19th, 2024
- Meet the Serbian Businessman/DJ Who Runs the Zombie AI Southwest Journal - Racket - February 19th, 2024
- Dead Island 2 Spreading Its Zombie Virus to Steam in April - GameSpace.com - February 19th, 2024
- Lincoln hosts Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie - Omaha - KETV Omaha - February 19th, 2024
- 'The Walking Dead - The Ones Who Live' Review AMC's Zombie Epic Shambles On - Collider - February 19th, 2024
- Legislative recap: zombie bills, teacher pay, lithium tax, pipelines and more - Black Hills Pioneer - February 19th, 2024
- Japan's stock markets are on a tear. Will 'zombie firms threaten the bull run? - CNBC - February 11th, 2024
- Thebe Phetogos haunted response to zombie figuration in art - The Washington Post - February 11th, 2024
- Cosmic dust from 'zombie' galaxies could form planets and life - The Telegraph - February 11th, 2024
- I walked with a zombie: 16 monster love interests that set hearts aflutter - The A.V. Club - February 11th, 2024
- Free Steam zombie shooter you've never heard of is getting rave reviews, somehow - GAMINGbible - February 11th, 2024
- South Korea's 'zombie football' finally leaves them in a hole too deep to climb out of - ESPN - February 11th, 2024
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's Zombie Mode is Getting Abandoned by Developer - FandomWire - February 11th, 2024
- Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses Full Audio Being Released as Immersive Vinyl - ComicBook.com - February 11th, 2024
- Zombie 'apocalypse' caused by mind-altering fungi, like that in hit TV show The Last of Us, is possible MPs ar - Daily Mail - February 11th, 2024
- The dark horse of Steam Next Fest is this open-world zombie survival game that feels like an homage to the best game ... - Gamesradar - February 11th, 2024
- COVID-19 Zombie Viral Fragments Could Help Explain Why Some Infections Are More Severe | Weather.com - The Weather Channel - February 11th, 2024
- Gotham City becomes a Joker-infected zombie nightmare in new Batman #143 preview - Dexerto - February 11th, 2024
- Boy, 16, stabbed to death with zombie knife at birthday party, court hears - The Independent - February 11th, 2024
- ROB ZOMBIE And ALICE COOPER Announce Summer 2024 'Freaks On Parade' Tour With MINISTRY And FILTER - BLABBERMOUTH.NET - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper are bringing their 'Freaks on Parade Tour' to Indy this summer - IndyStar - February 3rd, 2024
- Alice Cooper And Rob Zombie Touring Again This Summer - Vermilion County First - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper's 'Freak' show coming Aug. 25 to the X in St. Paul - Star Tribune - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper get their freak on with tour stop in Houston - CultureMap Houston - February 3rd, 2024
- 'True Detective: Night Country' and the 'Zombie Virus' Theory - Pajiba Entertainment News - February 3rd, 2024
- Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie to team up at Star Lake; Heart to headline PPG Paints Arena - The Times - February 3rd, 2024
- Double bills of Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper, Train and REO Speedwagon coming this summer - St. Paul Pioneer Press - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper's Freaks On Parade 2024 tour: Presale code, tickets, dates, venues, & all you need to ... - Sportskeeda - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper added to Walmart AMP lineup - Fayetteville Flyer - February 3rd, 2024
- ROB ZOMBIE and ALICE COOPER continue "The Freaks On Parade" tour in 2024 - Lambgoat - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper to Continue Their 'Freaks on Parade' Tour with Filter and Ministry - MetalSucks - February 3rd, 2024
- 'Handling the Undead' Review: This Emotional Zombie Horror Movie Isn't as Unique as It Thinks | Sundance 2024 - Collider - February 3rd, 2024
- Sundance Review: Handling The Undead Deconstructs the Zombie Genre with Painful Dread - The Film Stage - February 3rd, 2024
- How many 'zombie' stores will be left in the Philly area after Rite Aid's bankruptcy? - The Philadelphia Tribune - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper announce 'Freaks on Parade' 2024 tour dates with Ministry and Filter - Brooklyn Vegan - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper coming to Milwaukee on Aug. 27, 2024 - FOX 6 Milwaukee - February 3rd, 2024
- Alice Cooper And Rob Zombie Announce 2024 Tour: See The Dates - iHeartRadio - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper to stop at Walmart AMP - KNWA - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper coming to Blossom - WJW FOX 8 News Cleveland - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper Reveal Joint U.S. Tour Dates Here's How To Get Presale Code Tickets - Grimy Goods - February 3rd, 2024
- Canada's 'zombie fires' continue to burn even under thick layers of snow - National Post - February 3rd, 2024
- Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie bringing Freaks on Parade to Coopers home state - MLive.com - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper get their freak on with tour stop in Austin - CultureMap Austin - February 3rd, 2024
- This Is The Only New York Show for Cooper and Zombie In 2024 - Q105.7 - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper Reconvene for Freaks On Parade Tour - Knotfest - February 3rd, 2024
- Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper To Hit The Road Together Again - WRIF - February 3rd, 2024
- Handling The Undead Review: Sadness Is The Infection In Slow-Burn Zombie Drama - Screen Rant - February 3rd, 2024
- Zombie apocalypse or environmental saviours? SITC holds one-off session on the incredible world of fungi ... - Committees - February 3rd, 2024
- Freaks on Parade Tour with Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Ministry and Filter coming to Star Lake - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - February 3rd, 2024
- Scientists warn melting permafrost could unleash ancient 'zombie viruses' - The Independent - January 26th, 2024
- 'Zombie knives' to be banned in England and Wales from September - Reuters UK - January 26th, 2024
- Zombie-style knives: What are they and what are the new rules around them? - The Independent - January 26th, 2024
- Vermin Supreme runs on gingivitis and zombie power - GBH News - January 26th, 2024
- One of the Greatest Zombie Horror Movies of All Time Just Hit Netflix - Collider - January 26th, 2024
- UK's Struggle to Ban 'Zombie' Knives Shows Why Sunak's in Trouble - Yahoo News - January 26th, 2024
- Mother whose son was stabbed to death slams new Government zombie knives crackdown - The Independent - January 26th, 2024
- 'Your Role in the Zombie Apocalypse' by C.K. McDonnell - SciFiNow - January 26th, 2024
- 'They've announced this 16 times!' Labour MP blasts Government over zombie knife ban - Ocean City Today - January 26th, 2024
- The 1965 IH Travelall 'Zombie Slayer' I Sold Is for Sale Again, and I Don't Miss It - The Drive - January 26th, 2024
- Invasion of the Zombie Ants - Tinkercast - January 26th, 2024
- Are zombie knives illegal? How loopholes have thwarted 2016 ban - MSN - January 26th, 2024
- 'Zombie' virus threat: Scientists warn of terrifying new pandemic - Deccan Herald - January 26th, 2024
- Ancient zombie viruses trapped in Arctic ice could unleash deadly new pandemic: 'Tangible threat' - New York Post - January 26th, 2024
Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero