Genomic and Epigenomic Landscapes of Sarcopenia: From Molecular Etiology to Precision Interventions.

Abstract

Sarcopenia-the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength-is a major contributor to frailty, disability, and mortality in the elderly. Once considered a physiological consequence of aging, sarcopenia is now recognized as a complex multifactorial syndrome driven by intricate interactions between genetic predispositions, epigenetic regulation, environmental exposures, and lifestyle factors. Recent advances in high-throughput genomics and epigenomics have transformed our understanding of its molecular underpinnings, revealing key genes, signaling pathways, and regulatory networks that govern muscle homeostasis, regeneration, and degeneration. Furthermore, epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA networks act as critical modulators of muscle aging, bridging genetic risk with environmental and metabolic influences. Here, we review current knowledge of the genomic and epigenomic landscapes of sarcopenia, discuss how they intersect with cellular and systemic processes, and explore how these insights are paving the way for precision diagnostics, risk prediction, and targeted therapeutic interventions.