Senescence-associated biomarker

The term 'Senescence-associated biomarker' refers to a broad category of molecular indicators used to identify cells that have entered a state of permanent cell cycle arrest, known as cellular senescence. This biological state is characterized by distinct morphological changes, the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors such as p16INK4a and p21, and the secretion of a complex mixture of pro-inflammatory factors termed the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) (Gorgoulis et al., 2019, Cell). Because senescence is a highly heterogeneous and context-dependent process, there is no single universal biomarker that can definitively identify senescent cells across all biological settings or tissues. Consequently, the entry 'Unknown senescence-associated biomarker' does not represent a specific, druggable therapeutic target but rather a classification of markers used in aging research and the development of senotherapeutic agents. Therapeutic interventions in this field typically target specific anti-apoptotic proteins or signaling pathways that maintain senescent cell viability, such as the BCL-2 family, rather than the biomarkers themselves (Paez-Ribes et al., 2019, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology).

Other names

Senescence markerCellular senescence biomarkerSASP factor

Not applicable as this refers to a category of biomarkers rather than a specific therapeutic target.