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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.
X-chromosome...
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Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

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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...
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Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

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The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
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Spreading of Chromatin Modifications02:25

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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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Duplication of Chromatin Structure02:05

Duplication of Chromatin Structure

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The process of chromosome duplication during cell division requires genome-wide disruption and re-assembly of chromatin. The chromatin structure must be accurately inherited, reassembled, and maintained in the daughter cells to ensure lineage propagation.
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Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming01:24

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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...
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Updated: Jun 1, 2025

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
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Basic Epigenetic Mechanisms.

James R Davie1, Hedieh Sattarifard2, Sadhana R N Sudhakar2

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. jim.davie@umanitoba.ca.

Sub-Cellular Biochemistry
|January 17, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Epigenetics governs gene function without altering DNA sequence, crucial for organizing the human genome within the nucleus. This review explores epigenetic mechanisms driving cell-specific gene expression in the brain.

Keywords:
Chromatin structureDNA modificationsEpigeneticsHistone modificationsRegulation of gene expression

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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • The human genome comprises 46 chromosomes within 23 pairs, with DNA packaged into chromatin within the nucleus.
  • Mammalian cell nuclei, typically 5-15 μm, house highly organized DNA.
  • The human brain contains over 3000 distinct cell types, each with unique genomic organization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review epigenetic mechanisms.
  • To explain how these mechanisms direct genome organization and function.
  • To understand cell type-specific gene expression patterns in the brain.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epigenetic processes.
  • Analysis of DNA organization within the nucleus.
  • Examination of factors influencing gene expression.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic processes, including histone modifications, DNA modifications, nuclear RNA, and transcription factors, are key to genome function.
  • DNA is organized into structures that either permit or hinder gene expression.
  • These mechanisms are essential for establishing and maintaining distinct gene expression profiles across diverse brain cell types.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic mechanisms are fundamental to the complexity of the human genome.
  • Understanding epigenetics is crucial for deciphering cell type-specific functions, particularly in the brain.
  • This review highlights the role of epigenetics in cell differentiation and function.