Exercise as Gene Therapy: BDNF and DNA Damage Repair

• Authors: Robin H. Schmidt, Emory University; John Nickerson, Emory University; Jeffrey Boatright, Emory University
• Journal Title: Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology
• Volume: Volume 5, Number 4
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins | 2016-07-01, Pages 309-311
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1097/APO.0000000000000226
• Subjects: Education, Physical; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: Animals; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Clinical Studies as Topic; DNA Damage; DNA Repair; Exercise; Gene Editing; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Oxidative Stress

Abstract

DNA damage is a common feature of neurodegenerative illnesses, and the ability to repair DNA strand breaks and lesions is crucial for neuronal survival, reported by Jeppesen et al (Prog Neurobiol. 2011;94:166-200) and Shiwaku et al (Curr Mol Med. 2015;15:119-128). Interventions aimed at repairing these lesions, therefore, could be useful for preventing or delaying the progression of disease. One potential strategy for promoting DNA damage repair (DDR) is exercise. Although the role of exercise in DDR is not understood, there is increasing evidence that simple physical activity may impact clinical outcomes for neurodegeneration. Here, we discuss what is currently known about the molecular mechanisms of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and how these mechanisms might influence the DDR process.