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Abstract
Methylation clocks may serve as indicators of biological age in humans and other mammals.
- Methylation clocks are associated with biological processes of aging, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
- Certain genes related to development, such as Hox and polycomb genes, are found near clock CpG sites.
- Recent theories suggest that methylation clocks reflect a developmental process of aging rather than merely a biological marker.
- The evolution of these clocks may reveal how developmental mechanisms contribute to aging and late-life diseases.
- A new discipline, developmental gerontology (devo-gero), integrates concepts from evolutionary biology, biogerontology, and developmental biology.
- Hypotheses suggest that polycomb may balance early developmental accuracy with later adaptability during aging.
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