Aging-associated changes in metabolic regulation of epigenetic modifications and gene expression.

Aging is a natural process in life, characterized by progressive and pleiotropic decline in function that can be traced to the cellular and even molecular level. Along with the aging process, the incidence of age-related diseases increases vastly. Metabolomics studies have shown that aging is associated with changes in metabolism and metabolite production. More recent evidence links changes in metabolism to epigenetic alterations, thereby affecting gene expression. Targeting metabolic enzymes or chromatin modifications is therefore a promising approach towards therapies of aging and age-related diseases. This chapter provides an overview of changes in metabolism and chromatin signatures and the resulting effects on gene expression programs associated with aging