09-09-2019, 12:36 PM
From what I've read, the idea behind using methyl as a proxy for aging is that it accumulates over time and supposedly interferes with gene-expression and transcription. Whether it is a reliable indicator of age or infirmity is still up for debate.
I think it's similar to the shortening telomeres thing. Seemed to be a good way to estimate a subject's age, but clones end up with shorter telomeres than otherwise and often live normal-length lives, so it's more complicated than just the length of telomeres.
Correlation does not equal causation and all that...
Seems that there are lots of other factors: Accumulating DNA damage, fewer stem cells, viral infection (seems that common viruses have surprising influences on brain-function over time)... And general wear-and-tear.
Any geneticists in the forum who care to comment?
I think it's similar to the shortening telomeres thing. Seemed to be a good way to estimate a subject's age, but clones end up with shorter telomeres than otherwise and often live normal-length lives, so it's more complicated than just the length of telomeres.
Correlation does not equal causation and all that...
Seems that there are lots of other factors: Accumulating DNA damage, fewer stem cells, viral infection (seems that common viruses have surprising influences on brain-function over time)... And general wear-and-tear.
Any geneticists in the forum who care to comment?