Cited by 180Muscle Physiology and DisordersEpigenetics and DNA MethylationMuscle metabolism and nutrition

Does skeletal muscle have an ‘epi’-memory? The role of epigenetics in nutritional programming, metabolic disease, aging and exercise

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Sharples, Adam P., Stewart, Claire E., Seaborne, Robert A.·2016·Aging Cell

Abstract

Skeletal muscle mass, quality and adaptability are fundamental in promoting muscle performance, maintaining metabolic function and supporting longevity and healthspan. Skeletal muscle is programmable and can 'remember' early-life metabolic stimuli affecting its function in adult life. In this review, the authors pose the question as to whether skeletal muscle has an 'epi'-memory? Following an initial encounter with an environmental stimulus, we discuss the underlying molecular and epigenetic mechanisms enabling skeletal muscle to adapt, should it re-encounter the stimulus in later life. We also define skeletal muscle memory and outline the scientific literature contributing to this field. Furthermore, we review the evidence for early-life nutrient stress and low birth weight in animals and human cohort studies, respectively, and discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms culminating in skeletal muscle dysfunction, metabolic disease and loss of skeletal muscle mass across the lifespan. We also summarize and discuss studies that isolate muscle stem cells from different environmental niches in vivo (physically active, diabetic, cachectic, aged) and how they reportedly remember this environment once isolated in vitro. Finally, we will outline the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle memory and review the epigenetic regulation of exercise-induced skeletal muscle adaptation, highlighting exercise interventions as suitable models to investigate skeletal muscle memory in humans. We believe that understanding the 'epi'-memory of skeletal muscle will enable the next generation of targeted therapies to promote muscle growth and reduce muscle loss to enable healthy aging.

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Crossref · 10.1111/acel.12486

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  • This hypomethylated signature was preserved even after weeks of total detraining and macroscopic atrophy.

    “Crucially, this hypomethylated signature was preserved even after weeks of total detraining and macroscopic atrophy [119,120].”

    From Ribosome Biogenesis as a Putative Bottleneck to Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy: Mechanisms, Human Evidence, and Practical Modulators (2026) · cites this paper as [119]

    In the section on exercise adaptation and skeletal muscle memory (page unavailable), the review says it remains unknown whether exercise-induced methylation changes are retained and proposes a detraining–retraining study to investigate that question. It therefore does not report a hypomethylated signature preserved through weeks of detraining and atrophy. (LLM, conf=0.90)

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. NICE (2010) Weight management before, during and after pregnancy In PH27 (TNIfHaCE (NICE), eds). London, UK: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), pp. 1– 57.
  2. Oxford Dictionary (2015) http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/epigenetics

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Authors
Sharples, A. P., Stewart, C. E., & Seaborne, R. A.
Affiliations
Liverpool John Moores University (GB)
Corresponding author
Sharples, Adam P.
Venue
Aging Cell
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2016-04-22
Volume
15
Issue
4
Pages
603-616
ISSN
  • 1474-9718 (ISSN-L)
  • 1474-9726
OpenAlex
W2342297429
Cited by
180
References
184
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 2
FWCI
1.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Aging Cell (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Liverpool John Moores University (acceptedVersion)
  • Keele Research Repository (Keele University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Keywords
epigenetics, nutritional programming, low birth weight, metabolic disorders, muscle aging, muscle stem cells, muscle atrophy, healthy aging, epigenetic regulation
MeSH terms
Aging, Animals, Humans, Metabolic Diseases, Exercise, Muscle, Skeletal, Epigenesis, Genetic, Stem Cell Niche

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