Centenarians as a model to discover genetic and epigenetic signatures of healthy ageing

Publication date: Available online 31 October 2017Source: Mechanisms of Ageing and DevelopmentAuthor(s): Annibale Alessandro Puca, Chiara Spinelli, Giulia Accardi, Francesco Villa, Calogero CarusoAbstractCentenarians are a model of successful ageing. The data favours the theory that, in order to live to 100, it is mandatory to inherit the right genetic variants from parents or acquire epigenetic variants through the environment. Therefore, the study of epigenetic signatures of healthy ageing is becoming an important aspect to identify the role of chromatin modification in ageing and understand how manage this fine-tuning system. So, according to the concept of developmental plasticity, establishment of a longevity phenotype requires a combination of stochastic and non-stochastic events that modulate the genetic substrate and leads to a different outcome. It can be concluded that centenarians have a more powerful “engine” shaped by evolution, and that the environment, through epigenetic system, is a component influencing outcome.
Source: Mechanisms of Ageing and Development - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research