Methylation of ELOVL2 gene as a new epigenetic marker of age

Abstract

SummaryThe discovery of biomarkers able to predict biological age of individuals is a crucial goal in aging research. Recently, researchers' attention has turn toward epigenetic markers of aging. Using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip on whole blood DNA from a small cohort of 64 subjects of different ages, we identified 3 regions, the CpG islands of ELOVL2, FHL2, and PENK genes, whose methylation level strongly correlates with age. These results were confirmed by the Sequenom's EpiTYPER assay on a larger cohort of 501 subjects from 9 to 99 years, including 7 cord blood samples. Among the 3 genes, ELOVL2 shows a progressive increase in methylation that begins since the very first stage of life (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.92) and appears to be a very promising biomarker of aging.

Healthy Aging

“…The researchers from the International Longevity Institute are currently working on a new laboratory chemistry test that should reflect the damage level of DNA and should bring science-based predictions regarding the therapeutic value of anti-ageing interventions through the mutational changes occurring in the somatic genetic material [2,28,29].…”

“…In a recent study were identified and validated 3 genes, ELOVL2, FHL2 and PENK, whose CpG islands methylation changes with age. ELOVL2 encodes for a transmembrane protein of long (C22 and C24) ω3 and ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and it is mainly expressed in the liver [29].…”

“…PUFAs are involved in crucial biological functions including energy production, modulation of inflammation, and maintenance of cell membrane integrity [29].…”

“…It is possible that ELOVL2 methylation plays a role in the ageing process through the regulation of different biological pathways [29].…”

Healthy Aging

“…The researchers from the International Longevity Institute are currently working on a new laboratory chemistry test that should reflect the damage level of DNA and should bring science-based predictions regarding the therapeutic value of anti-aging interventions through the mutational changes occurring in the somatic genetic material [2,28,29].…”