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Epigenetics of Aging.

Marta I Sierra¹, Agustín F Fernández¹, Mario F Fraga¹

¹Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), HUCA, Universidad de Oviedo and Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC)-Universidad de Oviedo (UO) -Principado de Asturias, Spain.

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Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Epigenetic drift, the change in epigenetic patterns with age, involves DNA methylation decrease. This review explores how epigenetic changes and regulators influence human aging and age-related diseases.

Keywords:

Age-related diseases Aging DNA methylation Epigenetics External factors Histone modifications Non-coding RNAs.

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Area of Science:

Epigenetics
Molecular Biology
Gerontology

Background:

Epigenetic drift, characterized by altered epigenetic patterns during aging, is exemplified by decreasing global DNA methylation.
Distinct DNA methylation profiles are observed in aging cells, various tissues, and diseases, though their functional significance is often unclear.
DNA methylation acts as a dynamic transcriptional regulator, further complicated by the conversion of 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current knowledge on the role of epigenetic phenomena in human aging.
To discuss the links between epigenetic changes and age-related diseases.
To explore the influence of external, internal, and stochastic factors on age-related disease onset.

Main Methods:

Literature review of epigenetic mechanisms in aging.
Analysis of DNA methylation dynamics and its relation to aging.
Examination of histone modification patterns and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in epigenetic regulation.

Main Results:

Age-related DNA demethylation is linked to altered histone modification patterns.
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) function as epigenetic regulators of gene expression in eukaryotes.
Epigenetic alterations are implicated in the onset of human age-related diseases.

Conclusions:

Epigenetic drift, including DNA methylation changes, is a significant factor in human aging.
Understanding epigenetic regulation is crucial for comprehending age-related diseases.
External, internal, and stochastic factors interact with epigenetic phenomena to influence disease onset.