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 Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

3.0K
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...
3.0K
Replication in Eukaryotes01:29

Replication in Eukaryotes

13.8K
In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high fidelity before cell division, so there are many proteins that fulfill specialized roles in the replication process. Replication occurs in three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, and ends with two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...
13.8K
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

6.3K
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...
6.3K
Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

13.3K
The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone...
13.3K
Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions01:17

Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions

193
Methylation is a phase II biotransformation process involving the attachment of a methyl group to a substrate. Enzymes known as methyltransferases orchestrate this reaction.
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...
193
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

34.5K
Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
34.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Rtf1-dependent transcriptional pausing regulates cardiogenesis.

eLife·2026
Same author

Association Between Oral Lichen Planus and Non-Oral Cancers: A Multicentre Case-Control SIPMO Study.

Oral diseases·2025
Same author

Dysregulated DNA Methylation in <i>Abca4<sup>-/-</sup></i> Retinal Pigment Epithelium: Insights into Early Stage of Stargardt Disease.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025
Same author

Novel Taxol-Derivative, STO-1, Induces Selective Anti-Tumor Immunity and Sustained Remission of Glioblastoma Without Triggering Autoimmune Reactions.

Cells·2025
Same author

Library Preparation for Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Profiling.

Bio-protocol·2025
Same author

Salivary Biomarkers as Prognostic Tools in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review of Survival and Progression Outcomes.

Dentistry journal·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2025

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
09:42

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Published on: September 7, 2017

9.7K

Exponential dynamics of DNA methylation with age.

Grant Dufek1, Guy Katriel2, Sagi Snir3

  • 1Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology; University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.

Journal of Theoretical Biology
|December 23, 2023
PubMed
Summary

DNA methylation dynamics follow an exponential trajectory, approaching a steady state with age. This finding highlights nonlinear patterns crucial for developing accurate aging biomarkers.

Keywords:
AgingDNA MethylationDynamicsEpigenetics

More Related Videos

Detection of Modified Forms of Cytosine Using Sensitive Immunohistochemistry
07:13

Detection of Modified Forms of Cytosine Using Sensitive Immunohistochemistry

Published on: August 16, 2016

7.3K
Immunohistochemical Detection of 5-Methylcytosine and 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine in Developing and Postmitotic Mouse Retina
07:50

Immunohistochemical Detection of 5-Methylcytosine and 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine in Developing and Postmitotic Mouse Retina

Published on: August 29, 2018

9.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2025

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
09:42

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Published on: September 7, 2017

9.7K
Detection of Modified Forms of Cytosine Using Sensitive Immunohistochemistry
07:13

Detection of Modified Forms of Cytosine Using Sensitive Immunohistochemistry

Published on: August 16, 2016

7.3K
Immunohistochemical Detection of 5-Methylcytosine and 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine in Developing and Postmitotic Mouse Retina
07:50

Immunohistochemical Detection of 5-Methylcytosine and 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine in Developing and Postmitotic Mouse Retina

Published on: August 29, 2018

9.0K

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics and Molecular Biology
  • Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
  • Gerontology and Aging Research

Background:

  • The relationship between DNA methylation and chronological age is well-established, with numerous studies exploring age-related methylation changes and developing predictive biomarkers.
  • However, a comprehensive understanding of the functional form governing methylation-age dynamics remains limited, necessitating further theoretical and empirical investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a theoretical framework for modeling DNA methylation dynamics at individual sites.
  • To investigate the functional form of methylation-age dynamics and the heterogeneity of timescales involved.
  • To assess the implications of these nonlinear dynamics for the development of aging biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • A theoretical framework was developed to model DNA methylation dynamics at single sites, predicting exponential convergence to a steady-state level.
  • The model was fitted to a dataset tracking DNA methylation changes in the brain from birth to old age.
  • Simulations were used to model heterogeneity in convergence timescales and analyze the functional form of methylation dynamics with age.

Main Results:

  • The study demonstrated that DNA methylation levels converge to a steady state exponentially.
  • Timescales of this exponential convergence were found to be heterogeneous across different DNA sites.
  • The average methylation dynamics across the system closely followed an exponential trajectory, indicating a consistent pattern of change with age.

Conclusions:

  • DNA methylation can be conceptualized as a system transitioning from an out-of-equilibrium state at birth towards equilibrium with age via an exponential process.
  • Accounting for nonlinear dynamics is essential for accurate biomarker development based on age-associated DNA methylation changes.
  • The exponential nature of DNA methylation changes with age further supports the concept of aging as an inherently exponential process, mirroring the increasing risk of mortality.