TABLE I.

Identified Epigenetic Alterations Linked to Aging in Prostate Tissues

Gene	Epigenetic change	Prostate tissuea	Function	Refs.
RARβ2	Promoter hypermethylation	Normal	Mediates cell signaling in embryonic morphogensis, cell growth, and differentiation	[22,23]
RASSF1A	Promoter hypermethylation	Normal	Tumor suppressor; encoded protein similar to Ras effector proteins	[22]
GSTP1	Promoter hypermethylation	Normal	Detoxification of electrophilic compounds	[22,25]
NKX2-5	Promoter hypermethylation	Normal	Regulation of tissue specific gene expression for tissue differentiation	[80]
CDH1	Gene body hypermethylation	Benign prostatic hyperplasia	Cell–cell adhesion glycoprotein, TSG	[81]
CDH13	Gene body hypermethylation	Benign prostatic hyperplasia	Cadherin superfamily member	[81]
SPARC	Promoter hypermethylation	Normal	Cell growth regulation via interactions with extracellular matrix	[80]
TIMP3	Promoter hypermethylation	Normal	Inactivation of metalloproteinases	[80]
EPHB2	Promoter hypermethylation	Normal	Ephrin receptor, implicated in developmental processes	[82]
BRCA1	Promoter hypermethylation	Normal	DNA double-strand break repair	[82]
IGF2	Loss of imprinting	Normal and cancerous	Growth promoting hormone; structural similarity to insulin	[63]

^aType of prostate tissue analyzed for the age-related change, Normal = peripheral prostate tissue.