Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 4, 2025
10:28
Reusable Single Cell for Iterative Epigenomic Analyses
Published on: February 11, 2022
1.4K
Single-cell technologies: a new lens into epigenetic regulation in development
Adriano Bolondi1, Helene Kretzmer2, Alexander Meissner3
1Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin,14195 Berlin, Germany.
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|July 15, 2022
Summary
Epigenetic modifiers are crucial for early development. Recent single-cell studies reveal their cell-type-specific roles during mouse embryogenesis, offering new insights into developmental transitions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Epigenetics
- Genomics
Background:
- Cellular differentiation from a totipotent zygote involves complex regulatory mechanisms.
- Epigenetic modifiers are key regulators in development, but their precise roles remain unclear.
- Understanding these processes is vital for developmental biology and regenerative medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent studies on epigenetic regulation during mouse embryogenesis.
- To highlight the impact of single-cell technologies on understanding developmental transitions.
- To contextualize findings from in vivo and in vitro models.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature.
- Analysis of studies utilizing single-cell technologies.
- Integration of data from in vivo perturbation and in vitro models.
Main Results:
- Single-cell technologies provide high-resolution insights into epigenetic regulation.
- Epigenetic modifiers exhibit cell-type-specific functions during development.
- Dynamic developmental transitions can be characterized with advanced methodologies.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic regulation is fundamental to cell-type diversification.
- Single-cell approaches are revolutionizing the study of embryogenesis.
- Further research integrating multiple models will deepen our understanding of developmental epigenetics.
Related Concept Videos
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
3.1K
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...
X-chromosome...
3.1K
01:24Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
1.9K
Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for...
1.9K
01:10Transcription
147.9K
Overview
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
147.9K
01:32Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
1.9K
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...
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...
1.9K
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
992
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the...
992
02:30Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance
35.1K
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...
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
35.1K