Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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.

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Chronic activation of corticospinal tract neurons after pyramidotomy injury enhances neither behavioral recovery nor axonal sprouting.

Experimental neurology·2026

Same author

Evaluating the diagnostic performance of 3D radiographs in emergency department extremity imaging: an early comparative study.

Emergency radiology·2026

Same author

Axial Identity of Spinal Cord Neural Progenitor Cell Grafts Is Dispensable for Regeneration and Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury.

Cells·2026

Same author

Retrograde viral delivery of hyper-IL-6 activates Stat3 in corticospinal tract neurons but causes severe tremors and weight loss in adult mice.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Sox11 overexpression restores embryonic pro-growth transcription in mature corticospinal tract neurons.

Scientific reports·2025

Same author

Sox11 overexpression restores embryonic pro-growth transcription in mature corticospinal tract neurons.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Same journal

Contrasting roles for DNA methyltransferases and histone deacetylases in single-item and associative recognition memory.

Neuroepigenetics·2017

Same journal

Cross-species Analyses Unravel the Complexity of H3K27me3 and H4K20me3 in the Context of Neural Stem Progenitor Cells.

Neuroepigenetics·2016

Same journal

Persistent variations in neuronal DNA methylation following cocaine self-administration and protracted abstinence in mice.

Neuroepigenetics·2016

Same journal

Novel method to ascertain chromatin accessibility at specific genomic loci from frozen brain homogenates and laser capture microdissected defined cells.

Neuroepigenetics·2016

Same journal

Impact of prenatal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure on behavior, cortical gene expression and DNA methylation of the <i>Bdnf</i> gene.

Neuroepigenetics·2016

Same journal

A role for Ca<sub>V</sub>1 and calcineurin signaling in depolarization-induced changes in neuronal DNA methylation.

Neuroepigenetics·2015

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Isolation and Cultivation of Neural Progenitors Followed by Chromatin-Immunoprecipitation of Histone 3 Lysine 79 Dimethylation Mark

Isolation and Cultivation of Neural Progenitors Followed by Chromatin-Immunoprecipitation of Histone 3 Lysine 79 Dimethylation Mark

Published on: January 26, 2018

Epigenetic profiling reveals a developmental decrease in promoter accessibility during cortical maturation in vivo.

Ishwariya Venkatesh¹, Matthew T Simpson¹, Denise M Coley¹

¹Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, 53201.

Neuroepigenetics

|December 20, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Axon regeneration in the adult central nervous system (CNS) is hindered by reduced expression of regeneration-associated genes (RAGs). Epigenetic changes restrict RAG access, limiting intrinsic axon growth potential in mature CNS neurons.

More Related Videos

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

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

Published on: July 12, 2012

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Published on: September 7, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Isolation and Cultivation of Neural Progenitors Followed by Chromatin-Immunoprecipitation of Histone 3 Lysine 79 Dimethylation Mark

Isolation and Cultivation of Neural Progenitors Followed by Chromatin-Immunoprecipitation of Histone 3 Lysine 79 Dimethylation Mark

Published on: January 26, 2018

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

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

Published on: July 12, 2012

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Published on: September 7, 2017

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Molecular Biology
Epigenetics

Background:

Axon regeneration in the adult central nervous system (CNS) is significantly limited.
This limitation is partly due to a developmental decrease in the expression of regeneration-associated genes (RAGs) in injured neurons.
Adult CNS neurons may lack necessary pro-regenerative transcription factors or have restricted chromatin structures hindering RAG access.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the decline in RAG expression during CNS maturation.
To explore the potential of manipulating epigenetic factors and transcription factors to promote axon regeneration in adult CNS neurons.

Main Methods:

Performed epigenetic profiling around the promoter regions of key RAGs during cortical maturation.
Cultured postnatal cortical neurons to assess neurite outgrowth.
Tested the efficacy of various pro-regenerative interventions, including AP1 factor overexpression, histone acetyltransferase overexpression, and histone deacetylase inhibitors.

Main Results:

Epigenetic profiling revealed progressive chromatin structure restriction around RAG promoters during cortical maturation.
Cultured postnatal cortical neurons showed insensitivity to common pro-regenerative treatments.
This insensitivity suggests differences in cellular models and highlights intrinsic constraints on axon growth.

Conclusions:

Progressive chromatin closure during CNS maturation presents an intrinsic barrier to axon regeneration.
Standard pro-regenerative interventions are ineffective in cultured postnatal cortical neurons, indicating model-specific limitations.
Understanding these epigenetic constraints is crucial for developing effective strategies for CNS repair.