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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.
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,...
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,...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 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

DNA methylation-mediated epigenetic control.

Andrea Rottach1, Heinrich Leonhardt, Fabio Spada

  • 1Department of Biology II and Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science CiPSM, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
|July 1, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cellular differentiation involves epigenetic changes, particularly DNA methylation. Three key enzymes (Dnmt1, 3a, 3b) establish and maintain these methylation patterns, influencing gene expression through chromatin remodeling.

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Enhanced Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing for Assessment of DNA Methylation at Base Pair Resolution
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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
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Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors
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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

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics and Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Differentiation and Development

Background:

  • Cellular differentiation involves significant functional and morphological changes without altering the DNA sequence.
  • Epigenetic processes, especially DNA methylation, are crucial for establishing and maintaining gene expression patterns during development.
  • DNA methylation, a modification at the C5 position of cytosine (5mC), primarily occurs in CpG dinucleotides in vertebrates and correlates with gene activity states.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of DNA methylation in cellular differentiation and development.
  • To describe the mechanisms by which DNA methyltransferases establish and maintain methylation patterns.
  • To explore the interplay between DNA methylation and histone modifications in regulating gene expression.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on DNA methylation, methyltransferases, and chromatin remodeling.
  • Analysis of the correlation between DNA methylation levels and gene expression during differentiation.
  • Examination of the protein families that recognize CpG methylation and recruit chromatin-modifying enzymes.

Main Results:

  • Three major DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b) are responsible for establishing and maintaining specific DNA methylation patterns.
  • CpG methylation is recognized by specific protein families that recruit histone-modifying and chromatin-remodeling enzymes.
  • A complex network exists between DNA methylation and various histone modifications, translating DNA methylation into repressive chromatin structures.

Conclusions:

  • DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic mechanism driving cellular differentiation and development.
  • The coordinated action of DNA methyltransferases and downstream effector proteins translates DNA methylation into stable gene expression programs.
  • The intricate relationship between DNA methylation and histone modifications highlights the complexity of epigenetic regulation.