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Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

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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.
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Epigenetic Regulation01:46

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Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
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The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
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Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells01:32

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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.
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Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
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Restriction Enzymes01:11

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Restriction enzymes are bacterial enzymes used to cut DNA in a sequence-specific manner. To cleave DNA, they bind to specific palindromic sequences called restriction sites. Such palindromic DNA sequences or inverted repeats are commonly found in regions of functional significance, such as the origin of replication, gene operator sites, and regions containing transcription termination signals.
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Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
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Phase-variable methylation and epigenetic regulation by type I restriction-modification systems.

Megan De Ste Croix1, Irene Vacca1, Min Jung Kwun2

  • 1Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.

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|August 24, 2017
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Bacterial DNA methylation, regulated by restriction-modification systems, can switch gene expression patterns. This phase variation allows bacteria to adapt and change phenotypes, acting as a global regulatory mechanism.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epigenetics
  • Bacterial Genetics

Background:

  • Epigenetic modifications, like DNA methylation, influence gene regulation in bacteria.
  • Restriction-modification (RM) systems are key players in bacterial DNA methylation.
  • Isogenic bacterial cells can exhibit distinct phenotypes due to epigenetic changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review type I RM loci with phase variation capabilities.
  • To explore how these loci alter DNA methylation target specificity.
  • To understand the role of phase-variable DNA methylation in bacterial regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on type I RM systems.
  • Analysis of hsdS gene structure and reversible recombination.
  • Examination of the global distribution and structural variations of these loci.

Main Results:

  • Identified multi-hsdS type I RM loci capable of phase variation.
  • Demonstrated modification of methylation target specificity via reversible recombination.
  • Documented the widespread distribution of these loci across prokaryotes.

Conclusions:

  • Phase-variable DNA methylation in type I RM systems can alter bacterial phenotypes.
  • These systems facilitate reversible switching between physiological states.
  • Phase-variable DNA methylation represents a significant global regulatory mechanism in bacteria.