The p16INK4a gene, methylated during early life and demethylated with age, impacts aging by halting stem cell growth and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation.

“one particular gene that is methylated during early early age but then becomes demethylated as you know a person ages is this p16 inc 4a gene and it plays a role in cell cycle progression um meaning it like you know it it basically stops the cell from from going on to the next cycle yes so obviously you don't want it to be active during development or early age because you want your cells are growing and yeah um but it it also so when it becomes active it stops stem cells like hematopoietic stem cells they aren't growing yes um so there's like this kind of role in aging where it's you know sort of basically stopping stopping the stem cell from growing is going to have a negative impact on aging although it can be positive for cancer because well positive for the person that has cancer because it can stop a cancer cell from growing right yes”