Histone Modifications in Ageing and Lifespan Regulation

Abstract

Ageing has been associated with structural changes in chromatin. At the molecular level, multiple histone modifications with established epigenetic mechanisms have been connected to the regulation of lifespan. Here, we review the changes in histone modification profiles during ageing and their possible functional contribution to ageing and lifespan regulation. We brief the state of the knowledge on marks associated with both repressive (H3K9me3, H3K9me2, H3K27me3) and active chromatin (H3K4me3, H3K36me3, H3K56ac, H4K16ac, H2Bub). We further explore new histone modifications that emerged as lifespan-regulating candidates from a recent screen in yeast. Next, we comment on protein arginine methylation and GlcNAcylation, exploring their potential links to ageing. Finally, we provide a perspective on integrative approaches and methodological advances that might aid our pursuit of the epigenetic mechanisms of ageing.