Metülaatsioonikellade

Metülaatsioonikellade refer to a concept in molecular biology and epigenetics, particularly in relation to aging and cellular processes. They describe the phenomenon where the methylation patterns of DNA change over time in a predictable manner. DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic modification, a chemical tag added to DNA that can influence gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence.

As cells age, specific patterns of methylation accumulate or are lost at certain locations in the genome. These changes are not random; they appear to follow a relatively consistent trajectory across individuals, acting like a biological clock. Researchers study these metülaatsioonikellade by analyzing DNA methylation profiles from various tissues and cell types at different ages. The degree of methylation at specific CpG sites (cytosine-guanine dinucleotides) can be used to estimate the biological age of a cell or organism, which may differ from its chronological age.

The study of metülaatsioonikellade has significant implications for understanding the aging process, identifying biomarkers for age-related diseases, and potentially developing interventions to slow or reverse aging. While the precise mechanisms driving these clock-like changes are still under investigation, they highlight the dynamic nature of the epigenome and its intricate connection to cellular senescence and organismal lifespan.