Metformin Keeps Aging Primate Epigenomes “In Form”September 30, 2024Those of us feeling the all too familiar effects of time may look to cut back on certain “excesses” and keep fit (in both body and mind) to maintain a healthy aging process. Now, a team of fitness enthusiasts has revealed that long-term treatment with the diabetes drug metformin maintains an aging population of monkeys […]
scEpiAge Brings Single-cell Resolution to Epigenetic Clock HeterogeneitySeptember 23, 2024DNA methylation-based epigenetic clock construction has generally relied on bulk datasets representing findings from thousands or millions of cells, and now, a new single-cell epigenetic clock age predictor known as scEpiAge may help to resolve the impact of heterogeneity. Can improved resolution offer more profound insight into the aging process? A team led by Marc […]
Epigenetic Machinery Fights Back! SARS-CoV-2 RNA Modifications Inhibit Replication and PathogenesisSeptember 3, 2024Recent reports have highlighted how SARS-CoV-2 infection and the resulting COVID-19 can turn epigenetics against us; however, new research now reveals that the epigenetic machinery can also help us fight back against viral attacks – in the guise of specific RNA modifications. A team of epigenetic tusslers guided by Yu Chen (Wuhan University) knew of […]
Chrom-seq Uses ‘Readers’ to See Which RNAs Put Epigenetic Marks on ChromatinAugust 20, 2024Reading glasses, or “readers,” help you see text and other fine details up close. Inspired by our desire for increased resolution, a talented team is using histone readers to more clearly see which long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) interact with particular histone modifications. Their method, called Chrom-seq, doesn’t require highly pure antibodies or crosslinking, making it […]
Histone Serotonylation: From Boosting Moods to Regulating Brain Tumor ProgressionAugust 19, 2024While many know that serotonin impacts mood and emotions, a smattering of studies have found that this neurotransmitter can modify histones and regulate gene expression. Now, fascinating new research reveals that histone serotonylation contributes to the regulation of aggressive brain tumors, playing a role in the complex interactions taking place between neuron–tumor signaling, epigenetics, and […]
The Epigenetics of Exercise: Acvr1c Improves Learning and MemoryJuly 24, 2024Exercise can boost your mood and improve heart and bone health. Now, a talented team uncovers the epigenetic mechanisms behind another good reason to hit the gym. Working out can help with learning and long-term memory via Acvr1c, a member of the TGF-beta family. Gym rats—er, exercising mice—can learn under “subthreshold training” conditions after a workout, […]
PaleoHi-C Makes a “Mammoth” Genome Architecture DiscoveryJuly 22, 2024Certain scientific findings may be considered colossal or even epic in scale; however, few compare to a “mammoth” new study describing the three-dimensional genome architecture of preserved cells from a 52,000-year-old animal skin sample thanks to a primeval-sounding yet cutting-edge technique known as PaleoHi-C! Epigenetics research goes pre-historic! A veritable “stampede” of researchers led by […]
Age-related Chromatin Remodeling: Loss of Epigenetic Info or the Hijacking of Maturation?July 22, 2024In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except Spain winning at football and age-related chromatin remodeling! While this remodeling was thought to drive aging via the loss of epigenetic information, new research provides evidence for the “hijacking” of developmental maturation via activator protein 1 (AP-1)-activity as a major player. Surefire researchers “captained” […]
A CHARMing Epigenetic Editor Enchants Endogenous DNA Methylation Machinery to Pause Prion DiseaseJuly 8, 2024While George Clooney or Cate Blanchett exude a degree of charm, a captivating new epigenetic advance may outdo them both! A new study now describes a compact epigenetic editor known as “CHARM” that engages the cell’s own DNA methylation machinery to stop a fatal neurodegenerative disease in its tracks. A charismatic crew guided by Sonia […]
cfDNA Methylation Analysis Captures the Double Trouble of Inflammaging!July 1, 2024Analyzing cell-free (cf)DNA methylation from liquid biopsies represents a non-invasive approach to profile various diseases, but what if it could help us understand the devious duo of inflammaging – aging and inflammation? A talented team has dealt with this “double trouble” by applying enzymatic methyl-seq (EM-seq) to evaluate cfDNA methylation patterns. Researchers headed by Jian-Ping […]
