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Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Position-effect Variegation02:32

Position-effect Variegation

In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression02:35

Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression

Chromatin is the massive complex of DNA and proteins packaged inside the nucleus. The complexity of chromatin folding and how it is packaged inside the nucleus greatly influences  access to genetic information. Generally, the nucleus' periphery is considered transcriptionally repressive, while the cell's interior is considered a transcriptionally active area. 
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the timing and level of...
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

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...
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

DNA Methylation: Bisulphite Modification and Analysis
12:34

DNA Methylation: Bisulphite Modification and Analysis

Published on: October 21, 2011

Interclonal variation in methylation patterns for expressed and non-expressed genes.

R J Shmookler Reis, S Goldstein

    Nucleic Acids Research
    |July 24, 1982
    PubMed
    Summary

    DNA methylation patterns in human diploid fibroblasts show significant clone-specific variations. These unstable methylation patterns, especially in repressed genes, can lead to random gene derepression during cell division.

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    DNA Methylation: Bisulphite Modification and Analysis
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    Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

    Published on: September 7, 2017

    Area of Science:

    • Molecular Biology
    • Epigenetics
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism regulating gene expression.
    • Human diploid fibroblasts are a common model system for studying cellular processes.
    • Inter-clonal and intra-clonal heterogeneity in epigenetic marks can impact cellular function.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate DNA methylation patterns in human diploid fibroblasts and their clones.
    • To determine the extent of heterogeneity in DNA methylation across different gene regions.
    • To assess the stability of methylation patterns during serial cell passage.

    Main Methods:

    • Culturing of mass human diploid fibroblasts and isolation of eight clones.
    • Analysis of DNA methylation patterns using plasmid-inserted cDNA probes.
    • Probes targeted specific gene regions: alpha-hCG, beta-globin, A gamma- and G gamma-globin, and beta- and gamma-actin.

    Main Results:

    • Each probe identified distinct, clone-specific DNA methylation patterns.
    • Significant inter-clonal heterogeneity was observed in methylation of normally repressed genes (alpha-hCG, gamma-globin, beta-globin).
    • Intra-clonal variation indicated de novo heterogeneity arising during serial passage, suggesting unstable inheritance of methylation patterns.

    Conclusions:

    • DNA methylation patterns exhibit substantial heterogeneity between and within fibroblast clones.
    • Methylation patterns, particularly for repressed genes, are unstable and may be inherited unstably.
    • This epigenetic instability could lead to random gene derepression in cell lineages during mitotic growth.