Exploring the realm of epigenetics, this overview delves into how gene function can change without DNA sequence alterations. Key mechanisms like DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling are discussed, highlighting their roles in development, disease, and inheritance. The text also examines phenomena such as X chromosome inactivation, genomic imprinting, and the implications of epigenetic dysregulation in cancer.
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Epigenetics involves the study of changes in gene function that are passed down to successive generations and do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence
DNA Methylation
DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism that involves the addition of methyl groups to DNA and can lead to transcriptional repression
Histone Modification
Histone modification, such as acetylation and methylation, can influence chromatin structure and gene expression
Non-coding RNA Molecules
Non-coding RNA molecules can affect chromatin structure and gene expression through various mechanisms
Epigenetic regulation is crucial for normal development, cellular differentiation, and the maintenance of tissue-specific gene expression patterns
Environmental factors such as diet, stress, and exposure to chemicals can lead to epigenetic modifications that alter gene expression
Epigenetic changes can be stable and heritable, persisting through cell divisions and even across generations, and can have profound effects on the phenotype of offspring
Dosage compensation is a mechanism that ensures equal levels of X chromosome-derived gene products in both males and females, achieved through X chromosome inactivation
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic phenomenon that results in the expression of genes in a parent-of-origin-specific manner
Epigenetic dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cancer, and can lead to abnormal gene expression patterns
Abnormal DNA methylation patterns, such as hypermethylation and hypomethylation, can contribute to tumorigenesis by silencing or activating genes
Aberrant histone modifications can disrupt the expression of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and DNA repair
Understanding the role of epigenetics in disease is crucial for the development of novel diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic strategies
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Epigenetic alterations can be caused by environmental factors and are linked to various ______.
diseases
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Definition of DNA methylation
Addition of methyl groups to cytosine's 5-carbon in DNA, often at CpG islands.
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Role of DNA methyltransferases
Enzymes that mediate the methylation of DNA, crucial for pattern establishment.
