Lipofuscin Formation, Distribution, and Metabolic Consequences

摘要

One of the highlights of postmitotic aging is the intracellu-lar accumulation of highly oxidized and cross-linked proteins, known aslipofuscin. Lipofuscin is insoluble and not degradable by lysosomal en-zymes or the proteasomal system, which is responsible for the recognitionand degradation of misfolded and oxidatively damaged proteins. Theseaggregates have been found in various cell types, including heart, liver,kidney, neuronal tissue, and dermal tissue, and are associated with thelife span of a single postmitotic cell and, consequently, of the whole or-ganism. Lipofuscin formation appears to depend on the rate of oxidativedamage to proteins, the functionality of mitochondrial repair systems,the proteasomal system, and the functionality and effectiveness of thelysosomes. This review highlights the current knowledge of the forma-tion, distribution, and effects of lipofuscin in mammalian cells.