Epigenetic Regulation and Non-Histone Post-Translational Modification in Aging

Research Topic Highlights

This collection discusses the significance of DNA methylation and other epigenetic markers in predicting age, memory formation, cellular senescence, and mortality outcomes, emphasizing applications across forensic science, neuroscience, aging biology, and clinical contexts. The papers demonstrate improved accuracy in chronological forensic age prediction using multiplexed DNA methylation profiling, highlighting their cost-effective and practical utility in forensic practices. Moreover, the influence of DNA methylation and histone acetylation on memory consolidation and aging-related cognitive decline is described, acknowledging impacts from metabolites, hormones (e.g., estrogen), and potential therapeutic modulation through epigenetic modifiers like phytochemicals and vitamins. Additionally, the collection addresses cellular senescence regulated by non-canonical nucleic acid structures known as G-quadruplexes (G4-DNA/RNA), highlighting their importance in genomic stability, sex-specific age-related diseases, and potential therapeutic anti-aging strategies. Lastly, advancements in epigenetic clocks, specifically the non-invasive, buccal-derived clock (CheekAge), are shown to robustly predict mortality risk, delineating DNA methylation markers closely tied to health and longevity. Overall, these studies underscore the expanding relevance and translational potential of epigenetics research in forensic science, cognitive health, aging mechanisms, disease progression, and lifespan prediction.

Context and Scope

Aging is a complex biological process influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in modulating gene expression during aging. Non-histone post-translational modifications, such as acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation, also affect protein function and stability during aging. Understanding the epigenetic and non-histone post-translational modifications involved in aging is essential for identifying novel therapeutic targets for age-related diseases.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are changes to proteins that help regulate their structure, function, and ability to clump together. These modifications can include things like adding or removing chemical groups, which affect how the protein behaves in the cell. When misfolded proteins aggregate, it can cause stress in the endoplasmic reticulum, which triggers a response from the cell. This response can lead to further disruptions in important cellular processes, including protein degradation, energy production, inflammation, and cell division. These disruptions can ultimately result in cell death, which is associated with neurodegenerative disorders.

This Research Topic invites contributions that explore the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation and non-histone post-translational modifications in aging, including studies on the identification of novel epigenetic marks and the development of innovative techniques for studying epigenetic and non-histone post-translational modifications in aging.

Understanding the genetic and epigenetic regulation of human aging and lifespan can provide insights into the mechanisms of aging and age-related diseases. It can also help identify targets for modulating aging processes and improving healthspan interventions.

The goal of this Research Topic is to provide an overview of the current understanding and fundamental discoveries in the field of Epigenetic Regulation and Non-histone Post-translational Modification in Aging.

This article collection welcomes Original Research articles, Case Reports, (Mini)Reviews, Opinions, and Protocols that address (but are not limited to) the following aspects:

Integrated analysis of epigenetic regulation and non-histone posttranslational modification patterns across aging entities
The molecular mechanisms and pathways of epigenetic regulation and non-histone PTMs in aging
The interplay between epigenetics and non-histone PTMs in regulating cellular senescence
The role of epigenetics and non-histone PTMs in stem cell function and tissue regeneration
The impact of environmental factors (e.g., diet, stress) on epigenetics and non-histone PTMs in aging
The identification of epigenetic biomarkers for aging-related diseases
The development of novel therapeutic strategies based on epigenetic modulation or non-histone PTM manipulation for delaying aging or treating aging-related diseases

Keywords: DNA methylation, Epigenetic clocks, Forensic age prediction, Chronological age, Synaptic plasticity, Histone acetylation, Cellular senescence, G-quadruplex (G4-DNA/RNA), CheekAge, Memory consolidation, Aging biomarkers, Mortality prediction, Epigenetic modifiers, Metabolic regulation, Senescence-associated diseases

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.