Wrinkles, dark circles, grey hair, and a few creaks in the knees- are these the signs of aging for you? For most people, these signs define aging. However, scientists have long investigated whether these and genetic changes fully explain the aging process. Initial studies suggest that epigenetics might illustrate a way to measure biological age. Epigenetics is the study of environmental and behavioral factors that affect the functioning of genes. However, the drivers of epigenetic changes have been a subject of more discussion than held—Dr. Steven Cummings of Sutter Health’s California Pacific Medical Center. Research Institute suggests that there could be a connection between random genetic mutations and the epigenetic characteristics observed in older cells.
Are mutations solely controlling biological age?
The prevailing scientific view is that mutations can play a role in the aging process. But they are not the sole determinant of biological age. A previous study suggested that mutations, primarily DNA mutations, are attributed to the decline of health associated with aging. Researchers have also shown that somatic mutations occur more often in older tissues. A somatic mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of a cell that is not a germ cell. Some studies noted that not all aspects of aging are associated with these changes alone.
This uneven pattern of knowledge made the scientists look at other things happening. They turned to epigenetics, like switches that control how your genes function without changing the genes themselves. These switches change in predictable ways as we get older. The scientists have also developed tests, called “epigenetic clocks,” to measure these changes.
How do mutations fit into the picture?
As mentioned above, mutations are not the main culprits behind aging. How do these changes affect the clock? Let’s take a deep dive into how researchers have found the solution. A recent study analyzed cancerous and healthy tissue samples from thousands of patients to investigate the relationship between genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications.
Researchers discovered a significant correlation when a random mutation occurred. The nearby regions of DNA (specifically CpG sites) frequently displayed remarkable changes in methylation, a type of epigenetic modification. Mutated areas typically showed lower methylation levels, and this decrease often clashed with methylation changes (either increases or decreases) in the surrounding regions. Most importantly, these overall methylation patterns accurately reflected a person’s age. This suggests a strong connection between random genetic mutations and the chemical markers used in epigenetic clocks.
Do mutations contribute to faster aging?
Dr. Cummings suggested that the findings prove a connection between mutations and epigenetic changes. However, the nature of this relationship remains unclear. Two main possibilities might exist. First, an unknown underlying factor causes mutations and epigenetic shifts. The other might be that the accumulation of somatic mutations drives the epigenetic clocks forward. If the second one is true, then simply reversing epigenetic modifications might not address the core issues of aging.
The researchers have also observed that methylation of cytosine in DNA makes those sites more susceptible to mutation, potentially creating a cascade where each new mutation influences subsequent epigenetic changes. Further research is needed to determine the precise sequence of events and whether these processes co-occur in a complex interplay.
New perspectives on health and disease
Earlier, epigenetic clocks were used to spot tissues that looked older or younger than expected. These measurements are frequently used when discussing the risk of getting diseases in early life or how long someone might live. They might also be helpful in figuring out the best treatments for health problems related to aging.
However, the experts caution that we need more research to understand what causes these epigenetic changes. Some scientists are planning to experiment where they’ll make specific DNA changes. These changes will be made in cells grown in the lab, and then they will track how these changes affect the epigenetic marks. Other scientists want to study people over long periods by taking samples regularly to see how their epigenetic patterns change naturally as they age.
Unanswered questions on mutation and aging
To dig deeper into the possibilities of aging and mutation, scientists are studying diseases with many mutations to see if these changes make us age faster. They’re also looking into whether things such as stopping new mutations, fixing DNA better, or slowing down other gene changes could help us live healthier for an extended period. It’s an exciting area of research, but figuring out exactly how aging works is tough. We need more information to know if mutations and other gene changes are just signs of aging or if they cause it.
A measured approach
While biological age may still confuse most people, scientists view these discoveries as opportunities. They will help to deepen our understanding of the complex processes within aging cells. By studying how cells react to specific epigenetic changes, researchers aim to determine whether manipulating these markers can improve actual health. These findings could be crucial for enhancing existing anti-aging strategies.
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