{"title":"Physiological aging in three dimensions.","authors":"Fei Ma, Ranjan Sen","doi":"10.1016/j.tcb.2025.08.002","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aging is characterized by progressive structural and functional decline, driven partially by epigenetic alterations. While changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin accessibility are well studied, the role of three-dimensional chromatin organization in aging remains underexplored. Advances in chromosome conformation capture technologies have revealed hierarchical chromatin structures, including compartments, topologically associating domains (TADs), and chromatin loops, which are crucial for gene regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that aging changes these structures, leading to altered gene expression and cellular dysfunction. This review summarizes recent findings on age-associated chromatin reorganization, highlighting its impact on transcription and nuclear architecture. It also compares the roles of 3D chromatin organization in aging and senescence, highlighting shared and distinct features in these biological contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":56085,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1000,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Trends in Cell Biology","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcb.2025.08.002","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CELL BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Aging is characterized by progressive structural and functional decline, driven partially by epigenetic alterations. While changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin accessibility are well studied, the role of three-dimensional chromatin organization in aging remains underexplored. Advances in chromosome conformation capture technologies have revealed hierarchical chromatin structures, including compartments, topologically associating domains (TADs), and chromatin loops, which are crucial for gene regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that aging changes these structures, leading to altered gene expression and cellular dysfunction. This review summarizes recent findings on age-associated chromatin reorganization, highlighting its impact on transcription and nuclear architecture. It also compares the roles of 3D chromatin organization in aging and senescence, highlighting shared and distinct features in these biological contexts.
期刊介绍:
Trends in Cell Biology stands as a prominent review journal in molecular and cell biology. Monthly review articles track the current breadth and depth of research in cell biology, reporting on emerging developments and integrating various methods, disciplines, and principles. Beyond Reviews, the journal features Opinion articles that follow trends, offer innovative ideas, and provide insights into the implications of new developments, suggesting future directions. All articles are commissioned from leading scientists and undergo rigorous peer-review to ensure balance and accuracy.