DNA Methylation in Genes Associated with the Evolution of Ageing and Disease: A Critical Review
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Authors
Mc Auley, Mark T.Affiliation
University of ChesterPublication Date
2021-10-15
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Ageing is characterised by a physical decline in biological functioning which results in a progressive risk of mortality with time. As a biological phenomenon, it is underpinned by the dysregulation of a myriad of complex processes. Recently, however, ever-increasing evidence has associated epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation (DNAm) with age-onset pathologies, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. These diseases compromise healthspan. Consequently, there is a medical imperative to understand the link between epigenetic ageing, and healthspan. Evolutionary theory provides a unique way to gain new insights into epigenetic ageing and health. This review will: (1) provide a brief overview of the main evolutionary theories of ageing; (2) discuss recent genetic evidence which has revealed alleles that have pleiotropic effects on fitness at different ages in humans; (3) consider the effects of DNAm on pleiotropic alleles, which are associated with age related disease; (4) discuss how age related DNAm changes resonate with the mutation accumulation, disposable soma and programmed theories of ageing; (5) discuss how DNAm changes associated with caloric restriction intersect with the evolution of ageing; and (6) conclude by discussing how evolutionary theory can be used to inform investigations which quantify age-related DNAm changes which are linked to age onset pathology.Citation
Mc Auley, M. T. (2021). DNA Methylation in genes associated with the evolution of ageing and disease: A critical review. Ageing Research Reviews, 72, 101488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2021.101488Publisher
ElsevierJournal
Ageing Research ReviewsType
ArticleISSN
1568-1637EISSN
1872-9649ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1016/j.arr.2021.101488
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