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How does oxidative stress impact epigenetic modifications and aging?

Epigenetic modifications, on the other hand, are changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence itself. These modifications can be influenced by various environmental factors, including oxidative stress.

Research has shown that oxidative stress can have a significant impact on epigenetic modifications, ultimately affecting the aging process. Here are some of the ways in which oxidative stress can influence epigenetic modifications and contribute to aging:

1. DNA methylation: Oxidative stress can lead to DNA damage, including the formation of DNA adducts and strand breaks. These DNA lesions can interfere with the normal process of DNA methylation, which is an epigenetic modification that involves the addition of a methyl group to the DNA molecule. Altered DNA methylation patterns can disrupt gene expression and contribute to age-related diseases.

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2. Histone modifications: Oxidative stress can also affect the modifications of histone proteins, which are responsible for packaging DNA into a compact structure called chromatin. Histone modifications, such as acetylation and methylation, play a crucial role in regulating gene expression. Oxidative stress can disrupt these modifications, leading to aberrant gene expression patterns and accelerated aging.

3. Non-coding RNA: Oxidative stress can influence the expression of non-coding RNA molecules, such as microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs. These molecules play important roles in gene regulation and can be affected by oxidative stress-induced changes in epigenetic modifications. Dysregulation of non-coding RNA expression can contribute to age-related diseases and the aging process.

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4. Telomere shortening: Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. Oxidative stress can accelerate telomere shortening by promoting DNA damage and impairing the activity of telomerase, an enzyme responsible for maintaining telomere length. Telomere shortening is associated with cellular senescence and aging.

Overall, oxidative stress can disrupt epigenetic modifications through various mechanisms, leading to altered gene expression patterns and accelerated aging. Understanding the impact of oxidative stress on epigenetic modifications is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate age-related diseases and promote healthy aging.

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Keywords: oxidative, stress, modifications, epigenetic, expression, related, diseases, methylation, coding