Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene function that do not involve changes in the DNA sequence. The Greek prefix epi in epigenetics implies features that are "on top of" or "in addition to" the traditional genetic basis for inheritance.
Epigenetics often refers to changes in a chromosome that affect gene activity and expression, but can also be used to describe any heritable phenotypic change that does not derive from a modification of the genome, such as prions. Such effects on cellular and physiological phenotypic traits may result from external or environmental factors, or be part of normal developmental program. The standard definition of epigenetics requires these alterations to be heritable, either in the progeny of cells or of organisms.
The term also refers to the changes themselves: functionally relevant changes to the genome that do not involve a change in the nucleotide sequence. 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. 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, and may also last for multiple generations even though they do not involve changes in the underlying DNA sequence of the organism; instead, non-genetic factors cause the organism's genes to behave (or "express themselves") differently.
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, which in turn become fully differentiated cells. In other words, as a single fertilized egg cell Ð the zygote Ð continues to divide, the resulting daughter cells change into all the different cell types in an organism, including neurons, muscle cells, epithelium, endothelium of blood vessels, etc., by activating some genes while inhibiting the expression of others.
Historically, some phenomena not necessarily heritable have also been described as epigenetic. For example, the term epigenetic has been used to describe any modification of chromosomal regions, especially histone modifications, whether or not these changes are heritable or associated with a phenotype. The consensus definition now requires a trait to be heritable for it to be considered epigenetic. Misuse of the scientific term by quack authors has created misinformation and controversy in the public. Continue reading ...
Study reveals key role of epigenetic information in stem cell function
Researchers revealed the importance of the transmission of epigenetic information through cell division for embryonic stem cells functionality. This has broad implications for aging, cancer, and regenerative medicine.
We Know How Sperm 'Remember' And Pass on Non-DNA-Coded Traits to Embryos Science Alert - October 15, 2022
Studies in mammals have shown that the 'memories' of various environmental effects - such as diet, weight, and stress - can be passed on from fathers to offspring, despite these effects not being coded for in the DNA sequences carried by sperm. Studies in mammals have shown that the 'memories' of various environmental effects - such as diet, weight, and stress - can be passed on from fathers to offspring, despite these effects not being coded for in the DNA sequences carried by sperm.
Epigenetics study helps focus search for autism risk factors Medical Express - January 16, 2018
Scientists have long tried to pin down the causes of autism spectrum disorder. Recent studies have expanded the search for genetic links from identifying genes toward epigenetics, the study of factors that control gene expression and looks at chemical modifications of DNA and the proteins associated with it. The challenge is knowing where to look, given that our genome is comprised of more than three billion nucleotides, or building blocks, of DNA.