The regulation and function of Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytosine methylation (5mC) are largely unexplored. Mitochondria, Endothelial Cell (EC) senescence, and cardiovascular dysfunction are closely related.

The Authors extensively investigated the mtDNA Non-Coding Region (NCR) methylation pattern and its variations in EC replicative senescence. They observed previously undescribed 5mC clusters and a biased distribution of 5mC among DNA sites and throughout the NCR.

The methylation pattern in senescent EC showed non-random variations, including the hypo-methylation of mtDNA replication regulatory sites.

Reference

Bianchessi V, Vinci MC, Nigro P, Rizzi V, Farina F, Capogrossi MC, Pompilio G, Gualdi V, Lauri A. Methylation profiling by bisulfite sequencing analysis of the mtDNA Non Coding Region in replicative andsenescent Endothelial Cells. Mitochondrion. 2016 Mar;27:40-7. doi: 10.1016/j.mito.2016.02.004. Epub 2016 Feb 22. Go to PubMed abstract