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Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying DNA...
Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions01:17

Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions

Methylation is a phase II biotransformation process involving the attachment of a methyl group to a substrate. Enzymes known as methyltransferases orchestrate this reaction.
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...
Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
09:42

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Published on: September 7, 2017

The evolving functions of DNA methylation.

Daniel Zilberman1

  • 1University of California, 211 Koshland Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States. daniel.zilberman@nature.berkeley.edu

Current Opinion in Plant Biology
|September 9, 2008
PubMed
Summary

DNA methylation, a fundamental biological process, plays roles in gene regulation and disease. Plants are now a key model for studying DNA methylation due to recent genetic and genomic advances.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • DNA methylation is an ancient, conserved epigenetic mechanism across all life domains.
  • It regulates gene expression and defends against transposable elements.
  • Dysfunctional DNA methylation is implicated in human diseases like cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the significance of DNA methylation in biological processes.
  • To underscore the challenges in studying DNA methylation due to its evolutionary loss in model organisms.
  • To establish plants as a leading model system for dissecting DNA methylation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of evolutionary history of DNA methylation.
  • Integration of plant genetics with advanced genomic approaches.

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Enhanced Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing for Assessment of DNA Methylation at Base Pair Resolution
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Enhanced Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing for Assessment of DNA Methylation at Base Pair Resolution

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Immunohistochemical Detection of 5-Methylcytosine and 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine in Developing and Postmitotic Mouse Retina
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Immunohistochemical Detection of 5-Methylcytosine and 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine in Developing and Postmitotic Mouse Retina

Published on: August 29, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
09:42

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Published on: September 7, 2017

Enhanced Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing for Assessment of DNA Methylation at Base Pair Resolution
13:47

Enhanced Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing for Assessment of DNA Methylation at Base Pair Resolution

Published on: February 24, 2015

Immunohistochemical Detection of 5-Methylcytosine and 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine in Developing and Postmitotic Mouse Retina
07:50

Immunohistochemical Detection of 5-Methylcytosine and 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine in Developing and Postmitotic Mouse Retina

Published on: August 29, 2018

  • Analysis of conserved methylation enzymes and their diverse roles.

    • Main Results:

    • DNA methylation has evolved diverse functions, including defense and gene control.
    • Loss of DNA methylation in animals and fungi limits their utility as model systems.
    • Plants offer a robust system for genetic and genomic studies of DNA methylation.

    Conclusions:

    • Plants have become a premier model for understanding the complexities of DNA methylation.
    • Recent advances in plant genetics and genomics are accelerating discoveries in this field.
    • Further research in plants promises significant insights into DNA methylation's role in health and disease.