In a study comparing DNA methylation through DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing based on 4 female Chinese centenarians and 4 middle-aged Chinese controls, 626 differentially methylated regions (DMR) were observed between the two groups which were enriched in age-related diseases such as type-2 diabetes, CVD, stroke and Alzheimer. The pattern remained stable after including methylomes oft wo white individuals. It is postulated that the observed DMRs have functional roles in regulating disease-associated gene expressions.

CAS news release, April 9, 2015