The criteria of life and aging from a molecular viewpoint. The role of protein aggregation in the process of aging

Biological knowledge is expanding rapidly, delving deep into nature’s mechanisms. However, the essence of life as a molecular process still remains unclear. Organized and independently operating biological systems are commonly thought to be living. Unfortunately, these characteristics are too general and altogether insufficient to accurately delimit the boundaries of life. The problem of the relation of many primitive biological entities to the living world is still open. The properties of self-dependent biological systems clearly derive from their highly organized automatic nature. The comparative analysis of genomes of primitive biological organisms seems to be the most promising approach, which may eventually lead to the understanding of life at the molecular level and its definition. The erythrocyte appears to be of particular interest as a model of a living system that is at a boundary. Its biological origin, automatically controlled metabolism, and programmed death sharply defined in time qualify it as the living structure, even though it is completely deprived of a genetic apparatus. However, its membership among living systems seems to be well-founded. Protein aggregation is one of the common characteristics of aging. It is a consequence of abnormalities of protein structure induced by destructive actions but also by abnormalities of synthesis. Aggregation of membrane proteins probably affects the activity of certain enzymes or transport proteins, which are important as energy providers for aging erythrocytes. After the erythrocyte has passed through the vascular system a given number of times, it is not able to undergo a certain set of indispensable metabolic rearrangements. A living thing is then a form of animated nature which has the features of independence as a result of automation and possesses its own compatible with nature program of action which is time-limited beforehand.