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Epigenetic Regulation

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 Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

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

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

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

Position-effect Variegation

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.

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

RNA Polymerase (RNAP) is conserved in all animals, with bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic RNAPs sharing significant sequence, structural, and functional similarities. Among the three eukaryotic RNAPs, RNA Polymerase II is most similar to bacterial RNAP in terms of both structural organization and folding topologies of the enzyme subunits. However, these similarities are not reflected in their mechanism of action.
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

RNA Polymerase (RNAP) is conserved in all animals, with bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic RNAPs sharing significant sequence, structural, and functional similarities. Among the three eukaryotic RNAPs, RNA Polymerase II is most similar to bacterial RNAP in terms of both structural organization and folding topologies of the enzyme subunits. However, these similarities are not reflected in their mechanism of action.
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Analysis of Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance in C. elegans Using a Fluorescent Reporter and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)

Analysis of Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance in C. elegans Using a Fluorescent Reporter and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)

Published on: May 5, 2023

Maize RNA polymerase IV defines trans-generational epigenetic variation.

Karl F Erhard¹, Susan E Parkinson, Stephen M Gross

¹Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-3102, USA.

|March 21, 2013

Summary

Maize RNA Polymerase IV (Pol IV) regulates gene expression by utilizing transposon sequences. This study reveals how Pol IV action shapes heritable gene expression patterns, impacting plant development and traits.

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Discrimintion and Mapping of the Primary and Processed Transcripts in Maize Mitochondrion Using a Circular RT-PCR-based Strategy

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Experimental Design for Laser Microdissection RNA-Seq: Lessons from an Analysis of Maize Leaf Development

Experimental Design for Laser Microdissection RNA-Seq: Lessons from an Analysis of Maize Leaf Development

Published on: March 5, 2017

Area of Science:

Plant Molecular Biology
Epigenetics
Genomics

Background:

Maize RNA Polymerase IV (Pol IV) has an expanded role in gene regulation compared to other species.
The characteristics and prevalence of Pol IV-regulated genetic elements (haplotypes) are largely unknown.
Pol IV is crucial for paramutation, gene expression control, and small interfering RNA (siRNA) generation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the characteristics and prevalence of Pol IV-regulated haplotypes in maize.
To understand how Pol IV influences the expression patterns of specific genetic loci.
To explore the role of transposon sequences in Pol IV-mediated gene regulation.

Main Methods:

Analysis of specific haplotypes at the purple plant1 locus in maize.
Studying the effects of Pol IV mutations on haplotype expression patterns over generations.
Investigating the association of transposon fragments with altered gene expression.

Main Results:

Specific purple plant1 haplotypes acquired expanded expression domains after transmission from siRNA mutants.
This expanded expression was enhanced over generations in Pol IV mutants and remained heritable.
The phenomenon was linked to promoter-proximal transposon fragments but not paramutation sequences.
Trans-generational Pol IV action defines haplotype expression patterns using transposon-derived regulatory elements.

Conclusions:

Maize Pol IV action establishes heritable gene expression patterns through transposon co-option.
Induced changes in the genome's heterochromatic component correlate with heritable gene regulation changes.
This Pol IV regulatory system offers a mechanism for generating adaptive traits.