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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...
Position-effect Variegation02:32

Position-effect Variegation

In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
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: Jun 15, 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

Spatial, temporal and interindividual epigenetic variation of functionally important DNA methylation patterns.

Eberhard Schneider1, Galyna Pliushch, Nady El Hajj

  • 1Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany.

Nucleic Acids Research
|March 3, 2010
PubMed
Summary

DNA methylation patterns show significant natural variation across genes, tissues, and individuals. This epigenetic variation, particularly in imprinted genes, largely arises after fertilization, contributing to epigenetic mosaicism.

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Last Updated: Jun 15, 2026

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

Published on: July 12, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic modification regulating gene expression.
  • Factors like stochastic events, environment, and development influence DNA methylation.
  • Natural variation in gene-specific methylation patterns remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantitatively analyze DNA methylation patterns in specific genes across different human tissues and developmental stages.
  • To investigate the natural variability of methylation in imprinted genes, a pluripotency gene, and a tumor suppressor gene.
  • To explore the influence of tissue type, development, and genetic relatedness on DNA methylation.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative methylation analysis of selected genes (H19, MEG3, LIT1, NESP55, PEG3, SNRPN, OCT4, APC).
  • Analysis performed on chorionic villus, fetal and adult cortex, and adult blood samples.
  • Comparison of methylation levels and variation ranges across different tissues and developmental stages.

Main Results:

  • Significant variation in average methylation levels and ranges was observed, dependent on gene locus, tissue, and developmental stage.
  • Considerable methylation pattern variability found among unrelated healthy individuals.
  • Monozygotic twins exhibited more similar methylation levels than dizygotic twins.
  • Imprinted genes showed minimal age-related methylation changes after age 25.
  • Tissue type influences methylation differences in the APC promoter.

Conclusions:

  • Most DNA methylation variation likely originates post-fertilization, leading to epigenetic mosaicism.
  • Gene-specific methylation patterns are highly variable and influenced by multiple factors.
  • Understanding this variation is key to comprehending gene regulation and epigenetic inheritance.