MINI-REVIEW: DNA Methylation, Mitochondria, and Programmed Aging

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L. A. Zinovkina¹ and R. A. Zinovkin^2*

¹Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, 119991 Moscow, Russia

²Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; fax: +7 (495) 939-0338; E-mail: roman.zinovkin@gmail.com

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received July 22, 2015; Revision received August 28, 2015

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DNA methylation is a key epigenetic process involved in the regulation of nuclear gene expression. Progress in the study of genomic DNA methylation led to the precise identification of methylation sites reflecting biological age of cells and tissues. However, the functional significance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) methylation remains unknown. Growing evidence suggests that mtDNA methylation is linked to aging and oxidative stress. This mini-review summarizes information about the methylation of nuclear and mtDNA in mammals, indicating the connection of these processes to programmed aging.

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KEY WORDS: epigenetics, DNA methylation, mitochondria, aging

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297915120044

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