Chunk #46 — Dynamics of Gene Expression in the Brain through the Life-Span — Program of developmental changes of gene expression in the brain through the life-span
In a number of investigations into the temporal dynamics of the transcriptome in the brain, some of the age-related changes in gene expression tend to be interpreted in terms of regulatory patterns of brain development through the lifespan (Colantuoni, et al., 2011; de Magalhaes & Church, 2005; Somel, et al., 2010). One of the main arguments in support of this conclusion is the fact that most of the changes in gene expression during aging are regulated by the same factors as during the postnatal period, in the early stages of brain development. Specifically, miRNA and transcription factors are involved in the regulation of both developmental and postdevelopmental gene expression changes; those regulatory processes continue throughout the life-span (Somel, et al., 2010). Additionally it has been found that even those associated with aging gene expression changes, such as the down-regulation of genes involved in neural functions, are initiated in childhood (Erraji-Benchekroun, et al., 2005).
