Epigenetic Information Loss: A Cause and Consequence of Mammalian Aging | Signal Transduction and …

Epigenetic information loss is a phenomenon that occurs as we age which brings about a change in cellular activity. This change in the cell translates to a change in cell function and ultimately changes the biology of the tissue it is a part of. This change is an incredibly important factor in aging and the development of age-related diseases.

What is Epigenetic Information?
Epigenetic information refers to chemical modifications made to DNA that affects how genes are expressed. These modifications do not change the underlying DNA sequence but can lead to the activation or inactivation of particular genes. Epigenetic modifications play a central role in nearly all vital cellular processes. Epigenetic changes are also connected to a wide range of human diseases such as diabetes, cancer as well as aging.

What happens when we age?
Epigenetic information loss is one of the major contributors to the aging process. One classic example of epigenetic information loss during aging is that the ends of our chromosomes (termed telomeres) shorten progressively over time. Telomeres shorten every time a cell divides and once they become critically short, the cell can no longer divide, eventually entering senescence.

How does epigenetic information loss contribute to aging?
Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation have been shown to impact longevity in multiple animal models. DNA methylation controls the expression of numerous genes, including those that are involved in the stress response, immune function, and inflammation. As we age, critical genes in these pathways often become silenced through DNA methylation changes and this leads to the dysfunction of these pathways, ultimately promoting the aging process.

How can we combat epigenetic information loss?
Researchers have begun to investigate how to slow down or halt the epigenetic information loss that occurs as we age. One strategy is calorie restriction, which has been shown to prolong longevity in multiple animal species through different epigenetic mechanisms. More direct interventions include administering epigenetic drugs not targeting the genome but the epigenome, such as epigenetic inhibitors or activators.

Conclusion
Epigenetic information loss is a major component of the aging process, and it has the potential to be reversible through numerous interventions. Researchers are still investigating the best strategies to mitigate the impact of aging on the epigenome, but understanding the fundamental biology of epigenetic regulation is a crucial step in the race to expand healthy longevity for all people.

#epigenetics #aging #DNA #methylation #longevity


Summary: Epigenetic information loss is a contributor to the aging process and occurs due to changes in cellular activity, leading to changes in cell function, and ultimately changes the biology of the related tissue. Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation impact longevity through gene expression control, and critical genes becoming silenced in pathways promoting aging. We can combat epigenetic information loss through calorie restriction and administering epigenetic drugs targeting the epigenome, such as epigenetic inhibitors or activators, which have the potential to be reversible. Understanding the fundamental biology of epigenetic regulation is a crucial step in the race to expand healthy longevity for all people. #HEALTH