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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 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...

Spontaneous and Induced Mutations

Spontaneous and Induced Mutations

Spontaneous mutations arise infrequently during DNA replication due to errors in the process. A key factor behind these errors is tautomeric shifts in nitrogenous bases, where bases transition from keto to enol forms or amino to imino forms. This shift can alter base-pairing rules, leading to mutations. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) arising from aerobic metabolism can damage DNA, resulting in depurination (loss of a purine base) or depyrimidination (loss of a pyrimidine base).

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...

Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions

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...

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

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: May 9, 2026

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

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

Published on: August 29, 2018

Cigarette smoking and DNA methylation.

Ken W K Lee¹, Zdenka Pausova

¹Physiology and Experimental Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada.

Frontiers in Genetics

|July 25, 2013

Summary

DNA methylation, an epigenetic mark, influences gene expression and is affected by genetics and environment. Cigarette smoking significantly alters DNA methylation patterns, linking it to smoking-related diseases like cancer.

Keywords:

DNA methylation cigarette smoking epigenetics epigenome prenatal exposure

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Published on: February 24, 2015

Area of Science:

Epigenetics
Molecular Biology
Genomics

Background:

DNA methylation is a key epigenetic modification regulating gene expression.
It is dynamic during development and stable in adulthood, influenced by genetics and environment.
Cigarette smoking is a significant environmental factor impacting DNA methylation patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the role of DNA methylation in gene expression.
To investigate the influence of genetic and environmental factors on DNA methylation.
To understand the link between cigarette smoking and DNA methylation in disease etiology.

Main Methods:

Review of epigenome-wide association studies.
Analysis of DNA methylation patterns.
Investigation of gene expression regulation.

Main Results:

DNA methylation patterns are dynamic and influenced by genetic variants and environmental exposures.
Cigarette smoking, both current and prenatal, strongly modifies DNA methylation.
Candidate genes associated with smoking and disease have been identified.

Conclusions:

DNA methylation serves as a mechanistic link between smoking and diseases, including cancer.
Environmental factors like smoking can have lasting effects on DNA methylation and health outcomes.
Understanding DNA methylation is crucial for deciphering the etiology of smoking-related chronic diseases.