title: Evaluation of DNA methylation markers and their potential to predict human aging.
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 (R(2) = 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 (R(2) = 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.|Faculty of Biosciences, Laboratory of Human and Molecular Genetics, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Soares Bispo Santos Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Antunes
authors.affiliation: School of Criminal Justice, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA.
authors.forename: Kuppareddi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Balamurugan
authors.affiliation: DNA Laboratory, Broward County Sheriff's Office, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biosciences, Laboratory of Human and Molecular Genetics, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Clarice
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sampaio Alho
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McCord
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018899:CpG Islands / Q000235:genetics; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000235:genetics*; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D004247:DNA
keywords: Age prediction; Biofluids; DNA methylation; Pyrosequencing