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Related Concept Videos

Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
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 Regulation01:37

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.
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
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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Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain
13:11

Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain

Published on: July 12, 2012

Environmental epigenetics.

V Bollati1, A Baccarelli

  • 1Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Center of Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology, Università degli Studi di Milano and Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Milan, Italy.

Heredity
|February 25, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Environmental toxicants can alter epigenetics, the study of gene expression changes without DNA alteration. Evidence suggests these epigenetic changes, particularly DNA methylation, may link environmental exposures to diseases and health risks.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental epigenetics
  • Toxicology
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Epigenetics involves heritable gene expression changes without altering DNA sequence.
  • Mechanisms like DNA methylation and histone modifications are influenced by external factors.
  • Epigenetic alterations are increasingly recognized as mediators of environmental toxicant effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence linking environmental toxicants to epigenetic alterations.
  • To explore potential models for environmental exposure and human epigenome interactions.
  • To assess the role of epigenetics in understanding environmental health risks.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature and animal model studies.
  • Analysis of investigations on environmental chemicals and epigenetic modifications.
  • Examination of human repetitive elements and gene methylation patterns.

Main Results:

  • Animal models show transgenerational inheritance of effects from early-life exposures, linked to epigenetic alterations.
  • Environmental toxicants identified that alter human gene and repetitive element methylation.
  • Observed epigenetic alterations in patients with certain diseases align with some exposure-induced changes.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic alterations mediate effects of environmental toxicants.
  • While human transgenerational epigenetic effects require further study, evidence supports a link.
  • Epigenetics offers potential for understanding toxicant mechanisms and predicting environmental health risks.