Open AccessEndoplasmic reticulum stress in wake‐active neurons progresses with aging
Author(s) -
Naidoo Nirinjini,
Zhu Jingxu,
Zhu Yan,
Fenik Polina,
Lian Jie,
Galante Ray,
Veasey Sigrid
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
aging cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1474-9726
pISSN - 1474-9718
DOI - 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2011.00699.x
Subject(s) - wakefulness , endoplasmic reticulum , unfolded protein response , biology , neuroscience , senescence , fragmentation (computing) , endocrinology , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , electroencephalography
Summary Fragmentation of wakefulness and sleep are expected outcomes of advanced aging. We hypothesize that wake neurons develop endoplasmic reticulum dyshomeostasis with aging, in parallel with impaired wakefulness. In this series of experiments, we sought to more fully characterize age‐related changes in wakefulness and then, in relevant wake neuronal populations, explore functionality and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis. We report that old mice show greater sleep/wake transitions in the active period with markedly shortened wake periods, shortened latencies to sleep, and less wake time in the subjective day in response to a novel social encounter. Consistent with sleep/wake instability and reduced social encounter wakefulness, orexinergic and noradrenergic wake neurons in aged mice show reduced c‐fos response to wakefulness and endoplasmic reticulum dyshomeostasis with increased nuclear translocation of CHOP and GADD34. We have identified an age‐related unfolded protein response injury to and dysfunction of wake neurons. It is anticipated that these changes contribute to sleep/wake fragmentation and cognitive impairment in aging.