Cross-Species Analysis Reveals No Universal Programmed Aging Mechanism: Insights from Single-Cell Transcriptomics in Zebrafish, Fruit Fly, and Nematode
Abstract
The question of whether aging follows a universal programmed process has been a topic of debate for a long time. Previous arguments, either supporting or refuting programmed aging, were mainly based on different evolutionary biology theories. In this study, we analysed single-cell RNA sequencing data from zebrafish, fruit fly, and nematode at various stages of development to explore gene co-expression modules across these species. We successfully identified a co-expression module related to ribosomal protein genes that is shared across the early development stages in multiple tissues of all three species. However, we did not find any cross-species shared gene co-expression modules related to aging. Further analysis of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) demonstrated that although certain aging-related genes are conserved, their regulatory mechanisms vary significantly between species. These findings suggest that aging is not governed by a conserved universal program but rather by species-specific adaptations to damage and environmental conditions.
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Research summary
The paper addresses the fundamental question of whether aging is governed by a universal programmed mechanism, which is directly relevant to longevity research. However, while it presents interesting findings regarding gene co-expression and regulatory mechanisms across species, the conclusions drawn do not significantly advance our understanding of the root causes of aging or provide insights that could lead to lifespan extension or interventions in age-related diseases. Thus, it represents a solid contribution but with limited impact on the field.
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