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How to Slow down the Ticking Clock: Age-Associated Epigenetic Alterations and Related Interventions to Extend Life

Anne-Marie Galow1, Shahaf Peleg2,3

  • 1Institute for Genome Biology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.

Cells
|February 15, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, are hallmarks of aging. These changes impact lifespan and are linked to diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Epigenetic alterations are a key feature of organismal aging.
  • These changes are implicated in age-related diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer.
  • The interplay between epigenetic, transcriptional, and metabolic pathways complicates understanding cause and effect in aging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on epigenetic changes during aging.
  • To explore the link between epigenetic alterations, metabolic pathways, and age-related diseases.
  • To discuss the role of epigenetics in determining biological age and impacting lifespan.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on epigenetics and aging.
  • Focus on alterations in histone modifications and DNA methylation.
  • Analysis of the connection between epigenetic changes and metabolic pathways.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, are central to aging.
  • Aging is not only accompanied by epigenetic changes but may also be induced by them.
  • DNA methylation clocks serve as objective measures of biological aging and identify lifespan-influencing factors.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic signatures can act as biomarkers for age-associated disorders and potential therapeutic targets.
  • Interventions targeting epigenetic mechanisms show promise for extending healthy lifespan.
  • Future research in longevity will likely focus on manipulating epigenetic processes.
Keywords:
DNA methylationDNAm ageaccelerated epigenetic agingage-associated disordersbiomarkerdeep learninghealth spanhistone modificationlongevitymetabolismmethylation clockmicrobiomesingle-cell sequencing

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