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Tissue Collection of Bats for -Omics Analyses and Primary Cell Culture
Published on: October 23, 2019
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Sex differences in DNA methylation in bats
Jack G Rayner1, Samantha L Bock2, Andrew J Lonski3
1Department of Biology, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, Maryland, USA.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|August 23, 2025
Summary
Sex differences in DNA methylation, a molecular aging marker, were identified in 14 bat species. These patterns, particularly on the X chromosome, correlate with sex hormone receptors and sexual selection, potentially explaining sex-biased longevity.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Comparative Genomics
- Animal Aging
Background:
- Sex-biased longevity is common in animals but poorly understood.
- Cytosine methylation patterns change with age, serving as a molecular aging indicator.
- Investigating methylation differences can reveal sex-specific aging patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine sex differences in cytosine methylation across 14 bat species.
- To compare age-associated methylation variations between sexes.
- To explore links between methylation patterns, sex hormones, and sexual selection.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed DNA methylation patterns in 14 bat species.
- Compared sex-specific and age-dependent methylation variations.
- Assessed proximity of methylation sites to sex hormone receptor binding sites.
Main Results:
- Sex differences in methylation were prominent on the X chromosome, with females showing hypermethylation in promoter regions.
- Methylation differences were non-randomly distributed near androgen and estrogen receptor binding sites.
- The rate of age-associated methylation changes correlated with sexual selection intensity, especially in species with female-biased longevity.
Conclusions:
- Methylation patterns differ significantly between sexes and change with age in bats.
- These epigenetic differences may be influenced by sex hormones and sexual selection.
- Further research is needed to determine if these molecular aging differences explain sex-biased longevity in bats.
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