Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Aging

Aging

Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...

Mitochondria

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Epigenetic Awakening of Viral Mimicry in Cancer.

Cancer discovery·2020

Same author

SirT7 auto-ADP-ribosylation regulates glucose starvation response through mH2A1.

Science advances·2020

Same author

Effect of BDNF Val66Met on hippocampal subfields volumes and compensatory interaction with APOE-ε4 in middle-age cognitively unimpaired individuals from the ALFA study.

Brain structure & function·2020

Same author

Epigenetic loss of the transfer RNA-modifying enzyme TYW2 induces ribosome frameshifts in colon cancer.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2020

Same author

Methylation regulation of Antiviral host factors, Interferon Stimulated Genes (ISGs) and T-cell responses associated with natural HIV control.

PLoS pathogens·2020

Same author

The Genome-wide Methylation Profile of CD4+ T Cells From Individuals With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Identifies Distinct Patterns Associated With Disease Progression.

Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·2020

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Measuring Single-Cell Aging with an Imaging-based Biomarker of Chromatin and Epigenetic Aging

Measuring Single-Cell Aging with an Imaging-based Biomarker of Chromatin and Epigenetic Aging

Published on: January 30, 2026

Epigenetics and aging: the targets and the marks.

Mario F Fraga¹, Manel Esteller

¹Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain.

Trends in Genetics : TIG

|June 15, 2007

Summary

Epigenetic alterations accumulate during aging and cancer, impacting gene function. Key changes include DNA methylation loss and specific gene hypermethylation, linking aging epigenetics to tumorigenesis and lifespan.

More Related Videos

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence

Published on: May 1, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Measuring Single-Cell Aging with an Imaging-based Biomarker of Chromatin and Epigenetic Aging

Measuring Single-Cell Aging with an Imaging-based Biomarker of Chromatin and Epigenetic Aging

Published on: January 30, 2026

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence

Published on: May 1, 2017

Area of Science:

Epigenetics
Gerontology
Cancer Biology

Background:

Aging is characterized by accumulating epigenetic alterations.
These changes are increasingly recognized for their role in tumorigenesis.
Epigenetic dysregulation is a hallmark of both aging and cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the functional and biological significance of epigenetic alterations during aging.
To highlight the connection between aging epigenetics and cancer development.
To discuss specific epigenetic modifications and their implications.

Main Methods:

Focus on functional and biological significance of epigenetic alterations.
Examines global DNA methylation changes in aging and cancer.
Investigates promoter hypermethylation of specific genes.

Main Results:

Global DNA hypomethylation is observed in both aging and cancer.
Promoter hypermethylation affects tumor suppressor and progeria genes (e.g., Werner syndrome (WRN), lamin A/C).
Sirtuins link cellular transformation and lifespan through histone modifications.

Conclusions:

Epigenetic alterations are crucial in aging and cancer.
Specific epigenetic patterns, like DNA methylation changes, are shared between aging and cancer.
Sirtuins represent a key molecular link connecting aging, cancer, and lifespan.