Conference Program Home
  My Program

All Times EDT

Abstract Details

Activity Number: 291 - Contributed Poster Presentations: Biometrics Section
Type: Contributed
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 9, 2022 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
Sponsor: Biometrics Section
Abstract #323875
Title: Epigenetic Predictors of Maximum Lifespan and Other Life History Traits in Mammals
Author(s): Caesar Z Li*
Companies: University of California, Los Angeles
Keywords:
Abstract:

The maximum lifespan of a species is the longest time that its members can potentially survive in an optimal environment. The epigenetic footprints of this limit and related life history traits such as gestation time and age at sexual maturity remain poorly understood. Here, we collected and analyzed a database of highly conserved cytosine methylation patterns of over 13,000 samples derived from 348 mammalian species and 25 taxonomic orders. We present accurate DNA methylation-based predictors of maximum lifespan (r=0.89), gestation time (duration of gestation) (r=0.96), and age at sexual maturity (r=0.85). In humans and 19 other species, predictors indicated that females have longer maximum lifespans than males. Our analyses of maximum lifespan-related cytosines, chromatin states, and upstream modulators identify HOX genes and transcription factors that play a role in cellular reprogramming. In general, CpGs that are correlated to life history traits across species are different from those that correlate with age within species. These results highlight the key role of epigenetic changes in the evolution of life history traits and advance our molecular understanding of mammalian lifespan.


Authors who are presenting talks have a * after their name.

Back to the full JSM 2022 program