Epigenetics:
Epigenetics plays a critical role in human health by regulating gene expression without the direct modification of DNA sequence.
- Epigenetics is the study of how cells control gene activity without changing the DNA sequence.
- “Epi-“means on or above in Greek, and “epigenetic” describes factors beyond the genetic code.
- Epigenetic changes are modifications to DNA that regulate whether genes are turned on or off.
- These Epigenetic modifications are attached to DNA and do not change the sequence of DNA building blocks.
- Within the complete set of DNA in a cell (the genome), all of the modifications that regulate the activity (expression) of the genes is known as the epigenome.
- Because epigenetic changes help determine whether genes are turned on or off, they influence the production of proteins in cells.
- This regulation helps ensure that each cell produces only proteins that are necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells.
- Patterns of epigenetic modification vary among individuals, in different tissues within an individual, and even in different cells within a tissue.
- Environmental influences, such as a person’s diet and exposure to pollutants, can impact the epigenome.
- Epigenetic modifications can be maintained from cell to cell as cells divide and, in some cases, can be inherited through the generations.
- Errors in the epigenetic process, such as modification of the wrong gene or failure to add a chemical group to a particular gene or histone, can lead to abnormal gene activity or inactivity.
- Altered gene activity, including that caused by epigenetic errors, is a common cause of genetic disorders.
- Conditions such as cancers, metabolic disorders, and degenerative disorders have been found to be related to epigenetic errors.
