Paper on Epigenetics - 1034 Words

Epigenetics: interaction of DNA methylation and chromatin Epigenetics is a field where advances are being made daily. Epigenetics is defined as â€Å"heritable changes in gene expression that occur without a change in DNA sequence,† as stated by Dr. Alan Wolffe. A way in which we can understand this definition is by taking the analogy of a card game. The cards, the DNA sequence, have been dealt and will not change, however we need to understand how to play the cards, the rules, which is epigenetics. The guidelines can vary and completely change the way the card game is played and who comes out on top. The rules that are studied and understood through this research paper are those of DNA methylation and chromatin. These changes can produce†¦show more content†¦So how is DNA methylated? Methylation takes place at the 5’ C and 3’G base pair. More specifically at the cytosine carbon and the same in the complimentary strand to this. This is not only done at a few sites, rather about 60-90% of these carbons are methylated! An area that is highly methylated will actually help to repress gene expression if it is methylated at CpG island sites, where transcription beings. DNA methylation can also result in inactivation of tumor suppression in cancer cells when it becomes abnormal, due to this, epigenetics becomes a strong focus point when studying cancer. Also this leads to the cytosine’s being replaced by a thymine, leaving behind a dangerous T-G pairing which will be inherited and passed down through laterdivision. Another way this epigenetic phenomenon is benefitted from is its use in gene therapy. When foreign genes are used into a new host, they are methylated and thus suppressed as a â€Å"host defense mechanism.† There are actually enzymes involved in the methylation, they are called, as one may be able to guess, DNA methyltransferases. There are two kinds of this enzyme the DNMT1 (maintenance) and de novo methylase. Th e first kind is responsible for methylating DNA that has one side already methylated, because it is a new daughter strand. The other methyltransferase is the one which creates theShow MoreRelatedEpigenetics And Autistic Spectrum Disorder1078 Words   |  5 Pages Epigenetics and Autistic Spectrum Disorder Jowan Jones Old Dominion University â€Æ' Abstract This paper plans to focus on autism spectrum disorder and how epigenetics contributes to the development of the disease. ASD is comorbid with other neurodevelopmental diseases including Rett Syndrome, Fragile X, Prader-Willi, and Angelman. These diseases have frequent, identifiable symptoms such as coloboma of the eye, heart defects, atresia of the nasal choanae, retardation of growth and or developmentRead MoreThe Role Of Epigenetics And Genetics, Research Of Epigenetics, And Diseases Associated With Epigenetics Essay773 Words   |  4 PagesRole of Epigenetics The research of epigenetics has evolved from the twentieth century from two scientists including Conrad H. Waddington and Ernst Hadorn who combined genetics and biology. There was an interest in this study in the 1990s. Research has evolved trying to figure out the changes caused by epigenetic mechanisms. This field is growing as researchers are unraveling environmental and lifestyle influences on genes (Epigenetics, n.d.). This paper will discuss differences in epigenetics and geneticsRead MoreA Study Of Changes Throughout Gene Expression1567 Words   |  7 PagesEpigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression which may be inherited with no changes to the DNA sequence itself- it may account for non-Mendelian population inheritance patterns. Transgenerational inheritance requires a chromosomal or epigenetic change in the germline allowing the information to be passed on from one generation to another (Anway et al 2005a). In order for epigenetic marks to be passed down, the ga metes need to conserve their epigenomes by avoiding two reprogramming events;Read MoreA Research On Schizophrenia And Anorexia Nervosa1269 Words   |  6 Pageseverything that happens in the gene expression process that is above the genome. The epigenetic process is typically due to histone modification, CpG island methylation, RNA associated silencing, and some other factors. The process is triggered via cell-to-cell signaling, neighborhood cells sending signals, physiology, and environment. The epigenetic change can be transient, permanent, or heritable. In my chosen paper, the researchers are looking into how the social environment can ‘get into the mind’Read MoreHow Does The Change Affect Our Grandchildren?990 Words   |  4 PagesBy studying Epigenetics, we learn about the changes in heritable genome function without changes in the DNA sequence itself. Transgenerational inheritance requires a chromosomal or epigenetic change in the germline allowing the informati on to be passed on from one generation to another (Anway et al 2005a). In order for epigenetic marks to be passed down, the gametes need to conserve their epigenomes by avoiding two reprogramming events; in the gamete and zygote. It has generally been accepted thatRead MoreLocal Chromatin Environment Of A Polycomb Target Gene Instructs Its Own Epigenetic Inheritance889 Words   |  4 PagesThe main question being addressed in â€Å"Local chromatin environment of a Polycomb target gene instructs its own epigenetic inheritance† is whether histones modified by Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) are inherited through memory stored locally in gene expression sites (cis memory) or by concentrations of diffusible factors at chromatin states (trans memory). Before this study’s findings were published, the studies mentioned in the introduction, which served as precursors to this study, imply thatRead MoreBehavioral Epigenetics : Biological Heredity And Nurture1428 Words    |  6 Pagesothers do not? Behavioral epigenetics examines how nurture shapes nature, where nature refers to biological heredity and nurture refers to everything that occurs during the animal s lifespan. Epigenetics is the study of alterations in an organism caused by modifications of gene expressions instead of alterations of the genetic code itself. Behavioral epigenetics is the field of study, which analyzes the role epigenetics have in shaping human or animal behavior. Epigenetics works by wrapping DNA aroundRead MoreA Comparison Of Dna Methylation Between Infants Delivered Vaginally And By Caesarian Section1714 Words   |  7 PagesModule: Molecular micriobiology and epigenetics Dr. Tina Kyndt 19/04/2015 Dries Godderis Faculteit Bio-Ingenieurswetenschappen UGent – Coupure Links 653 – 9000 Gent Paper epigenetics A comparison of DNA-methylation between infants delivered vaginally and by caesarian section 1 Introduction This paper, written for the course ‘Molecular microbiology and epigenetics’ is a summary of two existing articles: ‘Epigenetic modulation at birth - altered DNA-methylation in white blood cells after CaesareanRead MoreNickel And Its Effects On Our Planet865 Words   |  4 Pagesmechanism is yet unknown. Mutation assays involving nickel exposer to species ranging from Salmonella to mammalian cells, in vitro, have shown that nickel has low mutagenic activity. It is believed that structural alterations in chromatin and epigenetic changes are the driving force behind nickel carcinogenesis. Nickel compounds have been shown to silence genes by inducing DNA methylation, which was first noticed in the Chinese hamster G12 cell line. DNA methylation following nickel compound exposureRead MoreGenetic Markers Don t Always Match Physical Appearance1638 Words   |  7 Pageslifestyle choices, like smoking or drinking, we are altering our body, it is called the ‘epigenetic’ effect. Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of DNA. Epigenetic literally means on top of genetics, it refers to external modifications to DNA that turn genes on or off. These modifications do not change the DNA sequence, but instead, they affect how cells read genes. One example of an epigenetic change is DNA methylation, which adds a chemical cap, to part of the DNA molecule, which