Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

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 Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Aging01:26

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...
Mitochondria01:37

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,...
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying DNA...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Relative Leukocyte Telomere Length Is Associated with Multimorbidity Burden in Older Adults: Evidence for Sex-Specific Associations.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

Genetic associations with longevity in a Calabrian cohort: an exploratory genome-wide study.

GeroScience·2026
Same author

N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation is modulated in aging and age-related diseases.

Experimental gerontology·2026
Same author

Age at natural menopause, reproductive lifespan and Alzheimer's disease in females: is APOE ε4 the missing link?

Frontiers in genetics·2026
Same author

Composition of the Gut Microbiota in Older Adults Residing in a Nursing Home and Its Association with Dementia.

Nutrients·2026
Same author

Leukocyte telomere length and circulating MiRNAs in relation to cardiovascular outcomes in older adults.

BMC geriatrics·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Measuring Single-Cell Aging with an Imaging-based Biomarker of Chromatin and Epigenetic Aging
09:10

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

Published on: January 30, 2026

Epigenetics and aging.

Patrizia D'Aquila1, Giuseppina Rose, Dina Bellizzi

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy.

Maturitas
|December 19, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Epigenetic marks, like DNA methylation and histone modifications, are key biological factors influencing human aging and longevity. Understanding these epigenetic changes is crucial for unraveling the complexities of lifespan.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Human longevity research has intensified over the past two decades.
  • Aging is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and stochastic factors.
  • Epigenetic modifications are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to aging variation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on the biological basis of human longevity.
  • To explore the role of epigenetic modifications in the aging process.
  • To provide an overview of epigenetic features characterizing aging.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on longevity and epigenetics.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on DNA methylation and histone modifications in aging.

More Related Videos

A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
10:39

A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: September 17, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Measuring Single-Cell Aging with an Imaging-based Biomarker of Chromatin and Epigenetic Aging
09:10

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

Published on: January 30, 2026

A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
10:39

A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: September 17, 2020

  • Synthesis of current understanding of epigenetic mechanisms in lifespan determination.

    • Main Results:

    • Epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, are critical regulators of aging.
    • These epigenetic marks mediate the influence of genetic and environmental factors on aging rate and quality.
    • Epigenetic modifications are essential for establishing gene expression programs and maintaining genome stability.

    Conclusions:

    • Epigenetic modifications represent a crucial link between genetic, environmental, and stochastic factors in aging.
    • Further research into epigenetic mechanisms is vital for understanding human longevity.
    • Epigenetics plays a central role in shaping the aging process and influencing life expectancy.