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Article
Evaluation of DNA methylation markers and their potential to predict human aging
Electrophoresis
  • Deborah S. B. S. Silva, Florida International University; PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
  • Joana Antunes, Florida International University
  • Kuppareddi Balamurugan, The University of Southern Mississippi
  • George Duncan, Broward County Sheriff's Office Crime Laboratory
  • Clarice S. Alho, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
  • Bruce McCord, Florida International University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2015
Keywords
  • Age prediction,
  • Biofluids,
  • DNA methylation,
  • Pyrosequencing
Abstract

We present epigenetic methylation data for two genetic loci, GRIA2, and NPTX2, which were tested for prediction of age from different donors of biofluids. We analyzed 44 saliva samples and 23 blood samples from volunteers with ages ranging from 5 to 72 years. DNA was extracted and bisulfite modified using commercial kits. Specific primers were used for amplification and methylation profiles were determined by pyrosequencing. Methylation data from both markers and their relationship with age were determined using linear regression analysis, which indicates a positive correlation between methylation and age. Older individuals tend to have increased methylation in both markers compared to younger individuals and this trend was more pronounced in the GRIA2 locus when compared to NPTX2. The epigenetic predicted age, calculated using a GRIA2 regression analysis model, was strongly correlated to chronological age (R2= 0.801), with an average difference of 6.9 years between estimated and observed ages. When using a NPTX2 regression model, we observed a lower correlation between predicted and chronological age (R2= 0.654), with an average difference of 9.2 years. These data indicate these loci can be used as a novel tool for age prediction with potential applications in many areas, including clinical and forensic investigations.

DOI
10.1002/elps.201500137
Citation Information
Deborah S. B. S. Silva, Joana Antunes, Kuppareddi Balamurugan, George Duncan, et al.. "Evaluation of DNA methylation markers and their potential to predict human aging" Electrophoresis Vol. 36 (2015) p. 1775 - 1780 ISSN: 0173-0835
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/george-duncan/3/