Why do common shrews live for only two years, while bowhead whales survive for two centuries? And could the answer give us hints as to how to extend our own, human life spans?
One such modification is DNA methylation, the addition of molecules called methyl groups to cytosine , one of the four "letters" within DNA's code. Methylation often occurs when C sits next to guanine bases at so-called CpG sites in DNA. Using epigenetic data from 348 mammal species, the researchers trained a machine learning algorithm to predict the maximum life span of each species based on CpG methylation patterns. The algorithm predicted the maximum life span of each species as a whole but not the longevity of any one individual. It was even possible to predict a species' maximum life span without knowing which species a sample came from, New Scientist reported.
"I think it was a fascinating first step to understand the inherent differences in species life span — something that the field has been discussing for a long time now," James White, who researches aging at Duke University and was not involved with the work but collaborates with the authors on other projects, told Live Science.
Until scientists discover the underpinning biochemistry of how epigenetics influences aging, it's unclear whether therapeutically targeting these epigenetic features could boost longevity.
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