- "In biology, epigenetics is the study of stable changes in cell function (known as marks) that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence."
Epigenetics refers to the changes in gene expression that occur without altering the underlying DNA sequence. Understanding epigenetics is crucial in molecular biology since it can affect the development of diseases and other traits.
Chromatin structure: The physical structure of DNA and proteins that make up chromosomes plays a major role in regulating gene expression.
DNA methylation: The process of adding methyl groups to DNA can affect gene expression by inhibiting transcription.
Histone modification: Chemical modifications to histone proteins can change the structure of chromatin and regulate gene expression.
Non-coding RNA: Many types of RNA molecules, including microRNA and long non-coding RNA, are involved in regulating gene expression through various mechanisms.
DNA repair mechanisms: Errors in DNA replication and environmental damage can cause changes to DNA that affect gene expression, but repair mechanisms can help maintain stability.
DNA packaging: The way in which DNA is packaged within the nucleus can affect gene expression and may be influenced by epigenetic factors.
Transcription factors: Proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences can regulate gene expression by promoting or inhibiting transcription.
Developmental biology: Epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in development, including processes such as cell differentiation and tissue formation.
Cancer biology: Epigenetic changes can contribute to the development and progression of cancer and may influence treatment outcomes.
Environmental factors: Exposure to various environmental factors, such as toxins or diet, can cause epigenetic changes that affect gene expression and health outcomes.
Epigenetic inheritance: Changes in gene expression patterns can be inherited and potentially contribute to disease risk or adaptation over generations.
Computational analysis: Computational tools and methods are increasingly used to analyze large amounts of epigenetic data and make predictions about gene expression and function.
Epigenetic therapies: Pharmacological interventions targeting epigenetic pathways are being developed for a range of diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders.
Epigenetic engineering: Advances in molecular biology and genome editing technologies have provided opportunities for precise manipulation of epigenetic marks and gene expression.
Epigenetic regulation of stem cells: Changes in chromatin structure and gene expression patterns are important for stem cell differentiation and maintenance, and can be affected by various factors including age and disease.
DNA methylation: Methylation refers to the process of adding a methyl group (-CH3) to DNA molecules, usually to cytosine bases. This process changes the structure of DNA and can affect gene expression, altering the protein production process.
Histone modification: Histones are proteins that organize DNA into a tightly coiled structure, known as chromatin. Histone modification involves changes to these proteins through the addition or removal of chemical groups, such as acetyl or methyl groups, which can alter chromatin structure and the accessibility of genes.
Non-coding RNA: Non-coding RNA molecules are involved in a range of important cellular processes, from regulating gene expression to silencing viral infections. They can influence gene expression by targeting messenger RNA (mRNA) and either blocking or promoting the production of proteins.
- "The Greek prefix epi- (ἐπι- 'over, outside of, around') in epigenetics implies features that are 'on top of' or 'in addition to' the traditional genetic basis for inheritance."
- "Epigenetics most often involves changes that affect the regulation of gene expression, and that persist through cellular division."
- "Such effects on cellular and physiological phenotypic traits may result from external or environmental factors, or be part of normal development."
- "Examples of mechanisms that produce such changes are DNA methylation and histone modification."
- "Each of which alters how genes are expressed without altering the underlying DNA sequence."
- "Non-coding RNA sequences have shown to play a key role in the regulation of gene expression."
- "Gene expression can be controlled through the action of repressor proteins that attach to silencer regions of the DNA."
- "These epigenetic changes may last through cell divisions for the duration of the cell's life."
- "They may also last for multiple generations, even though they do not involve changes in the underlying DNA sequence of the organism."
- "One example of an epigenetic change in eukaryotic biology is the process of cellular differentiation."
- "During morphogenesis, totipotent stem cells become the various pluripotent cell lines of the embryo."
- "By activating some genes while inhibiting the expression of others."
- "Muscle cells, neurons, epithelium, endothelium of blood vessels, etc."
- "It can also lead to diseases such as cancer."
- "Such effects on cellular and physiological phenotypic traits may result from... or be part of normal development."
- "Epigenetics is the study of stable changes in cell function... that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence."
- "Gene expression can be controlled through the action of repressor proteins that attach to silencer regions of the DNA."
- "Epigenetics most often involves changes that affect the regulation of gene expression, and that persist through cellular division."
- "One example of an epigenetic change in eukaryotic biology is the process of cellular differentiation."