Characterization of the Clinical and Molecular Perspectives of Epigenetics

Abstract

This review provides the latitude to examine the extant information in the univeral characterizations of epigenetic formulations. Epigenetics encompasses the interaction of behaviours and environment culminating in changes which influence gene activity. In contrast to genetic modifications, epigenetic modifications are reversible; and do not alter the DNA sequence but are capable of interferring in the way the DNA sequence is read. Epigenetic alterations involve genetic changes which effect gene functionality without modifying the underlying DNA sequence. DNA methylation depicts the covalent superimposed methyl group to cytosine in CpG dinucleotides. DNA methylation presents as a veritable epigenetic modification; and it governs gene expression by changing chromosome structure, DNA conformation and stability as well as the function trajectory between DNA and protein. DNA methylation regulates gene expression via the conscription of proteins associated with gene expression or by the inhibition of the binding of transcription factor(s) to DNA. Whereas genetic alterations do modify protein formation, it is clear that epigenetic alterations impact on gene expression to put genes ''on'' and ''off'', as appropriate. The resultant impact of environmental and anthropogenic idiosyncracies, such as diet and physical activity are liable to induce epigenetic modifications in behaviours and gene-environment interactions. Genes are not always in functional mode. DNA methylation constitutes a select epigenetic process applied by cells for the control of gene expression. within the genome. Alterations in gene activity and epigenetic errors can result in varying genetic, metabolic and degenerative disorders which may disparately or in comorbid presentaions influence inter alia health, gene activity or expression, protein production and functionality. This entry exemplifies the reading and understanding of epigenetics in relation to inter alia beneficial developmental theories within the human race.