Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
Published on: September 7, 2017
Reconfiguration of DNA methylation in aging
Michele Zampieri1, Fabio Ciccarone1, Roberta Calabrese1
1Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy; Pasteur Institute-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome 00161, Italy.
Abstract:
A complex interplay between multiple biological effects shapes the aging process. The advent of genome-wide quantitative approaches in the epigenetic field has highlighted the effective impact of epigenetic deregulation, particularly of DNA methylation, on aging. Age-associated alterations in DNA methylation are commonly grouped in the phenomenon known as "epigenetic drift" which is characterized by gradual extensive demethylation of genome and hypermethylation of a number of promoter-associated CpG islands. Surprisingly, specific DNA regions show directional epigenetic changes in aged individuals suggesting the importance of these events for the aging process. However, the epigenetic information obtained until now in aging needs a re-consideration due to the recent discovery of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, a new DNA epigenetic mark present on genome. A recapitulation of the factors involved in the regulation of DNA methylation and the changes occurring in aging will be described in this review also considering the data available on 5 hmC.
Related Concept Videos
Epigenetic Regulation
X-chromosome...
Epigenetic Regulation
Epigenetic Regulation
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Nucleosome Remodeling
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

