New genetic and epigenetic approaches in gerontology

This paper presents an overview of the most significant discoveries and findings in gerontology for 2011–2014. It considers results of the whole genome association studies (GWAS), obtained in a representative cohort of centenarians, protective mutations of Alzheimer’s disease, new data on the role of the hypothalamus as a command center of human aging, results of experimental studies of the geroprotective and anticarcinogenic action of rapamycin and metformin, and meta-data indicating a negative effect of antioxidants in the treatment of lung cancer. Special attention is paid to the problems of aging epigenetics and epigenetic mechanisms of gene activity regulation. Data on the long-term epigenetic effects that affect stable reprogramming of the genome at an early age and clinical observations and experimental data demonstrating the transgenerational transmission of epigenetic changes in the parents to their offspring are examined. There has been a tendency emerging in recent years to the transfer from studies of the dormant genome (anatomy of the genome) to the study of the dynamic genome (its physiology), which opens up new opportunities to clarify the underlying mechanisms of aging and ways of maintaining active longevity.