Abstract
Aging is an unstoppable process coupled to the loss of physiological function and increased susceptibility to diseases. Epigenetic alteration is one of the hallmarks of aging, which involves changes in DNA methylation patterns, post-translational modification of histones, chromatin remodeling and non-coding RNA interference. Invertebrate model organisms, such as Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans, have been used to investigate the biological mechanisms of aging because they show, evolutionarily, the conservation of many aspects of aging. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the epigenetic changes of aging with invertebrate models, providing insight into the relationship between epigenetic dynamics and aging.
Highlights
Aging is an inevitable, time-dependent process in most living organisms, which involves functional decline, a steady increase in a plethora of chronic diseases, and death [1]
Much research on aging has focused on genetic manipulation, and changing the activity of numerous genetic pathways can lead to lifespan extension in model organisms, for example, the insulin/Insulin-like growth factor-1) pathway (IIS), Target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling, Adenosine 5‘-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and sirtuins [3]
histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitors can increase longevity by promoting gene transcription. Inhibitors such as sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA), sodium butyrate (SB), trichostatin A (TSA), and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) affect several pathways involved in the regulation of these gene expression patterns associated with healthy aging [106]
Summary
Time-dependent process in most living organisms, which involves functional decline, a steady increase in a plethora of chronic diseases, and death [1]. Much research on aging has focused on genetic manipulation, and changing the activity of numerous genetic pathways can lead to lifespan extension in model organisms, for example, the insulin/Insulin-like growth factor-1) pathway (IIS), Target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling, Adenosine 5‘-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and sirtuins [3]. Studies have showed that aging in humans is associated with epigenetic drift [9] Model animals, such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster, have been long used for the study of aging. Simple models have provided valuable insights into the aging process; for example, the IIS signaling pathway was first discovered in C. elegans and was later found to be conserved in both insects and mammals, where it regulates the rate of aging [11]. This review will summarize recent advances in the roles of epigenetic changes in aging in these two invertebrates
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