Term Epigenetics Research Articles

Epigenetics and Ayurveda: Literature study

This study is done to view Literature of Epigenetics in ayurveda point of view, as Epigenetics shows environment factors and other external factors contributing in etiology of disease. Modern study on the term epigenetics is already done but to find it’s ayurvedic relevance this type of literature study is needed. A literature study can be helpful to prove the relation between Epigenetics and its description in ayurveda. By connecting these two we could fulfil society's need of better diagnosis of disease and it's causing factors at early stage of disease. Epigenetic factors are part of Ayurvedic diet, lifestyle, day to day activities etc hence this study will throw importance of ayurveda in today's era

The epigenetic landscape: An evolving concept

The epigenetic landscape was a visual metaphor introduced in the mid-twentieth century to illustrate the genetic control of embryonic differentiation. Although the popular understanding of epigenetics has since expanded to include gene and chromosomal mechanisms in all contexts, the landscape metaphor provides a unifying concept centered around processes that establish and maintain cellular memory. However, over the decades the term epigenetics has been also used to describe some non-genetic processes that bear little or no resemblance to the traditional concept of an epigenetic landscape. By establishing Frontiers in Epigenetics and Epigenomics, we aim to provide authors and readers a forum and an outlet for research that is centered around the original concept of an epigenetic landscape. Thanks in large part to exciting advances in epigenomic technologies, we expect that a deeper understanding of cellular memory will translate into new strategies for medicine, agriculture, and environmental health.

A MEDICINA PERICIAL DOUTRINÁRIA EM UM ESTUDO EPISTEMOLÓGICO BIOPSICOSSOCIAL DOS CONCEITOS DE EPIGÊNESE E DE EPIGENÉTICA

Introduction: This article aims to address the topic of doctrinal expert medicine in a biopsychosocial epistemological study of the concepts of epigenesis and epigenetics from a perspective that contemplates the biological, psychic and social approaches, both from the aspects of physiological normality and from the perspective of psychic and physical pathology. Method: Historical conceptual research of a qualitative, critical and prospective nature of the terms “epigenesis” and “epigenetics”. This study raised historical and current texts that deal with these concepts and proposed a philosophical and biopsychosocial approach to their meaning, presenting an original doctrine for applying them to expert and forensic medicine. Discussion: It is known that the term epigenesis was coined by Aristotle to explain the evolution of living beings after their basic training, for example syngamy. The term epigenetics was created by Waddington to explain the causal study of development, that is, to identify and understand what causes the development of living beings. The terms epigenesis and epigenetics evolved in conceptual terms. The meaning of the word epigenesis was given greater scope, applied to different scenarios. The different meanings of the term epigenetics evolved to the point where it defines an area of biology that uses its best-known methods: DNA methylation, histone modification and the expression of non-coding RNA, that is to say the entire process of heritable changes and reversible gene alterations that do not impact DNA. Conclusion: The study carried out and included in this article showed that both concepts are contextualized in a broad environment based on the biopsychosocial aspects of scientific knowledge.

Paramecium epigenetics in development and proliferation.

The term epigenetics is used for any layer of genetic information aside from the DNA base-sequence information. Mammalian epigenetic research increased our understanding of chromatin dynamics in terms of cytosine methylation and histone modification during differentiation, aging, and disease. Instead, ciliate epigenetics focused more on small RNA-mediated effects. On the one hand, these do concern the transport of RNA from parental to daughter nuclei, representing a regulated transfer of epigenetic information across generations. On the other hand, studies of Paramecium, Tetrahymena, Oxytricha, and Stylonychia revealed an almost unique function of transgenerational RNA. Rather than solely controlling chromatin dynamics, they control sexual progeny's DNA content quantitatively and qualitatively. Thus epigenetics seems to control genetics, at least genetics of the vegetative macronucleus. This combination offers ciliates, in particular, an epigenetically controlled genetic variability. This review summarizes the epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to macronuclear heterogeneity and relates these to nuclear dimorphism. This system's adaptive and evolutionary possibilities raise the critical question of whether such a system is limited to unicellular organisms or binuclear cells. We discuss here the relevance of ciliate genetics and epigenetics to multicellular organisms.

Public knowledge and opinion of epigenetics and epigenetic concepts.

The field of epigenetics is currently one of the most rapidly expanding in biology and has resulted in increasing public interest in its applications to human health. Epigenetics provides a promising avenue for both targeted individual intervention and public health messaging. However, to develop effective strategies for engagement, it is important to understand the public's understanding of the relevant concepts. While there has been some research exploring the public's understanding of genetic and environmental susceptibility to disease, limited research exists on public opinion and understanding of epigenetics and epigenetic concepts. Using an online questionnaire, this study investigated the Australian public's understanding, views, and opinions of epigenetics and related concepts, including the concepts of the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) and the first 1000 days. Over 600 questionnaires were completed, with 391 included in the analysis. The survey included questions on knowledge of epigenetics and perceptions of epigenetic concepts for self and for children. Data were analyzed using predominately descriptive statistics, with free-text responses scored based on concordance with predetermined definitions. While participants' recognition of epigenetic terms and phrases was high, their understanding was limited. The DOHaD theory was more accurately understood than the first 1000 days or epigenetics itself. Female participants without children were more likely to recognize the term epigenetics, while age also had an impact. This research provides a solid foundation for further detailed investigation of these themes, all of which will be important data to help inform future public health messages regarding epigenetic concepts.

Epigenetics and Its Ethical Implications.

The biologist Conrad Waddington first coined the term epigenetics, defining it as "the branch of biology that studies the causal interactions between genes and their products and creates a phenotype." The molecular mechanisms underlying epigenetics are complex. Epigenetic changes are rapid, functional, nonstructural, and reversible, and these DNA changes are partly transmissible from one generation to the next. These modifications affect the activation of certain genes but not their basic structure. In this context, the epigenome of an individual allows it to better adapt to the environment in which it finds itself. Epigenetics is also involved in the pathogenesis of other diseases, such as cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Epigenetic changes are potentially reversible, so new epigenetic therapies may be developed for tumors that have an epigenetic component and for other diseases. If the epigenetic markings can be passed on to future generations, the inherited advantage, more frequently the disadvantage, passes to the new generations, and in this way the injustices are perpetuated.

Physical Chemistry of Epigenetics: Single-Molecule Investigations.

The nucleosome is the fundamental building block of the eukaryotic genome, composed of an ∼147 base-pair DNA fragment wrapping around an octameric histone protein core. DNA and histone proteins are targets of enzymatic chemical modifications that serve as signals for gene regulation. These modifications are often referred to as epigenetic modifications that govern gene activities without altering the DNA sequence. Although the term epigenetics initially required inheritability, it now frequently includes noninherited histone modifications associated with gene regulation. Important epigenetic modifications for healthy cell growth and proliferation include DNA methylation, histone acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation (SUMO = Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier). Our research focuses on the biophysical roles of these modifications in altering the structure and structural dynamics of the nucleosome and their implications in gene regulation mechanisms. As the changes are subtle and complex, we employ various single-molecule fluorescence approaches for their investigations. Our investigations revealed that these modifications induce changes in the structure and structural dynamics of the nucleosome and their thermodynamic and kinetic stabilities. We also suggested the implications of these changes in gene regulation mechanisms that are the foci of our current and future research.

Epigenetics in disease etiopathogenesis

The term epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression that are not caused by modifications in DNA sequence. Epigenetic changes are DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome positioning, and non-coding RNA (including microRNA) mediated modifications. Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in malignant diseases, imprinting defects, and some hereditary diseases. Recent research explained the role of epigenetic disorders in infections, autoimmune, neurodegenerative and bone diseases, as well as in psoriasis, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Epigenetic modifications have a potential clinical application as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and also as therapeutic targets in oncology, endocrinology, cardiology, and neuropsychiatry. Stress, anxiety, depression, emotions and many other psychological factors may affect epigenetic mechanisms. Influence of preconception parental stress exposure transmits to the next generation through epigenetic changes, as direct results of prenatal and postnatal environmental factors. Epigenetic changes identify environmental factors which affect health and cause disease onset. Milk is the sophisticated system of communication between mother and infant, operating via epigenetic mechanisms. Lifelong consumption of bovine milk causes epigenetic disorders. Recent studies provide important information about the role of bioactive dietary nutrients which modify epigenome in malignancy prevention and therapy. Any interruption in the balance of intestinal microbiota initiates aberrant epigenetic modifications. Epigenetic patterns act as the ?molecular watches? and they play the central role in the establishment of biological rhythms. Epigenetic mechanisms can determine the result of assisted reproductive technology and genetic engineering. The extensive research about the association of epigenetics and pharmacology led to the development of pharmacoepigenetics. All these results emphasize the importance of further research which will take into account all factors that may affect epigenetic mechanisms.

When epigenetics meets bioengineering-A material characteristics and surface topography perspective.

The field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TE/RM) involves regeneration of tissues and organs using implantable biomaterials. The term epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression that are not encoded in the DNA sequence, leading to remodeling of the chromatin and activation or inactivation of gene expression. Recently, studies have demonstrated that these modifications are influenced not only by biological cues but also by mechanical and topographical signals. This review highlights the current knowledge on emerging approaches in TE/RM with a focus on the effect of materials and topography on the epigenetic expression pattern in cells with potential impacts on modulating regenerative biology. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2065-2071, 2018.

Epigenetics in Alzheimer's Disease: Perspective of DNA Methylation.

Research over the years has shown that causes of Alzheimer's disease are not well understood, but over the past years, the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the developing memory formation either under pathological or physiological conditions has become clear. The term epigenetics represents the heredity of changes in phenotype that are independent of altered DNA sequences. Different studies validated that cytosine methylation of genomic DNA decreases with age in different tissues of mammals, and therefore, the role of epigenetic factors in developing neurological disorders in aging has been under focus. In this review, we summarized and reviewed the involvement of different epigenetic mechanisms especially the DNA methylation in Alzheimer's disease (AD), late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD), and autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD). Down to the minutest of details, we tried to discuss the methylation patterns like mitochondrial DNA methylation and ribosomal DNA (rDNA) methylation. Additionally, we mentioned some therapeutic approaches related to epigenetics, which could provide a potential cure for AD. Moreover, we reviewed some recent studies that validate DNA methylation as a potential biomarker and its role in AD. We hope that this review will provide new insights into the understanding of AD pathogenesis from the epigenetic perspective especially from the perspective of DNA methylation.

Targeting histone methyltransferases and demethylases in clinical trials for cancer therapy.

The term epigenetics is defined as heritable changes in gene expression that are not due to alterations of the DNA sequence. In the last years, it has become more and more evident that dysregulated epigenetic regulatory processes have a central role in cancer onset and progression. In contrast to DNA mutations, epigenetic modifications are reversible and, hence, suitable for pharmacological interventions. Reversible histone methylation is an important process within epigenetic regulation, and the investigation of its role in cancer has led to the identification of lysine methyltransferases and demethylases as promising targets for new anticancer drugs. In this review, we describe those enzymes and their inhibitors that have already reached the first stages of clinical trials in cancer therapy, namely the histone methyltransferases DOT1L and EZH2 as well as the demethylase LSD1.

Commentary: Past, present, and future of epigenetics applied to livestock breeding - Hard versus Soft Lamarckian Inheritance Mechanisms.

The article by Gonzalez-Recio et al. (2015) claims to “review the concept of Lamarckian inheritance and the use of the term epigenetics in the field of animal genetics.” I began reading with interest as I am involved in selective livestock improvement (Williamson et al., 2011) using the ancestral haplotype approach to establish associations with desirable beef quality traits (Dawkins, 2015). I was curious where the epigenetics field was situated in this regard. However, in the introductory section, “The Old Ideas,” I considered their comments on an earlier book of mine (Steele et al., 1998) were incorrect. Further, the rest of their article had, in my view, a major omission on what constitutes Weismann's Doctrine and the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology (below). Having said this the review by Gonzalez-Recio et al is an otherwise thoughtful and informative article on the application of transgenerational epigenetic ideas and phenomena to livestock improvement. Indeed I have no argument with accurate recounting of the difficulties documenting “hard” epigenetic inheritance in mammals (the transmission of an epigenetic character beyond three generations).

Epigenetics and Peripheral Artery Disease.

The term epigenetics is usually used to describe inheritable changes in gene function which do not involve changes in the DNA sequence. These typically include non-coding RNAs, DNA methylation and histone modifications. Smoking and older age are recognised risk factors for peripheral artery diseases, such as occlusive lower limb artery disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm, and have been implicated in promoting epigenetic changes. This brief review describes studies that have associated epigenetic factors with peripheral artery diseases and investigations which have examined the effect of epigenetic modifications on the outcome of peripheral artery diseases in mouse models. Investigations have largely focused on microRNAs and have identified a number of circulating microRNAs associated with human peripheral artery diseases. Upregulating or antagonising a number of microRNAs has also been reported to limit aortic aneurysm development and hind limb ischemia in mouse models. The importance of DNA methylation and histone modifications in peripheral artery disease has been relatively little studied. Whether circulating microRNAs can be used to assist identification of patients with peripheral artery diseases and be modified in order to improve the outcome of peripheral artery disease will require further investigation.

Past, present, and future of epigenetics applied to livestock breeding.

This article reviews the concept of Lamarckian inheritance and the use of the term epigenetics in the field of animal genetics. Epigenetics was first coined by Conrad Hal Waddington (1905–1975), who derived the term from the Aristotelian word epigenesis. There exists some controversy around the word epigenetics and its broad definition. It includes any modification of the expression of genes due to factors other than mutation in the DNA sequence. This involves DNA methylation, post-translational modification of histones, but also linked to regulation of gene expression by non-coding RNAs, genome instabilities or any other force that could modify a phenotype. There is little evidence of the existence of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in mammals, which may commonly be confounded with environmental forces acting simultaneously on an individual, her developing fetus and the germ cell lines of the latter, although it could have an important role in the cellular energetic status of cells. Finally, we review some of the scarce literature on the use of epigenetics in animal breeding programs.

Endocrine disrupters: the new players able to affect the epigenome.

Epigenetics represents the way by which the environment is able to program the genome; there are three main levels of epigenetic control on genome: DNA methylation, post-translational histone modification and microRNA expression. The term Epigenetics has been widened by NIH to include “both heritable changes in gene activity and expression but also stable, long-term alterations in the transcriptional potential of a cell that are not necessarily heritable.” These changes might be produced mostly by the early life environment and might affect health influencing the susceptibility to develop diseases, from cancer to mental disorder, during the entire life span. The most studied environmental influences acting on epigenome are diet, infections, wasting, child care, smoking and environmental pollutants, in particular endocrine disrupters (EDs). These are environmental xenobiotics able to interfere with the normal development of the male and female reproductive systems of wildlife, of experimental animals and possibly of humans, disrupting the normal reproductive functions. Data from literature indicate that EDs can act at different levels of epigenetic control, in some cases transgenerationally, in particular when the exposure to these compounds occurs during the prenatal and earliest period of life. Some of the best characterized EDs will be considered in this review. Among the EDs, vinclozolin (VZ), and methoxychlor (MXC) promote epigenetic transgenerational effects. Polychlorinated biphenils (PCBs), the most widespread environmental EDs, affect histone post-translational modifications in a dimorphic way, possibly as the result of an alteration of gene expression of the enzymes involved in histone modification, as the demethylase Jarid1b, an enzyme also involved in regulating the interaction of androgens with their receptor.

Epigenetics and its role in periodontal diseases: a state-of-the-art review.

The immune response to oral bacteria and the subsequent activation of inflammatory signaling is not only dependent on genetic factors. The importance of so-called epigenetic mechanisms presents additional regulatory pathways of genes involved in maintaining chronic inflammation, including gingivitis and periodontitis. The term epigenetics relates to changes in gene expression that are not encoded in the DNA sequence itself and include chemical alterations of DNA and its associated proteins. These changes lead to remodeling of the chromatin and subsequent activation or inactivation of a gene. Epigenetic mechanisms have been found to contribute to disease, including cancer and autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. In this state-of-the art review, the authors provide the latest findings on the involvement of epigenetic modifications in the development of periodontal disease and present emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at epigenetic targets (epidrugs) associated with the disruption of tissue homeostasis and the development of periodontitis.

The evolution of epigenetics.

Early studies of the developing embryo raised the question of how a fertilized egg could give rise to a complex multicellular organism containing many different kinds of cells. The term epigenetics originally referred to the study of these processes. With the advent of detailed knowledge of mechanisms of gene expression, this definition was superseded by another: epigenetics concerned the transmission of phenotype through mitosis or the germ line by mechanisms that did not involve changes in the DNA sequence. Much effort has been spent in attempting to identify and characterize these events. Work initially focused on DNA methylation as an epigenetic mark, but more recently there has been an emphasis on histone modifications as possible carriers of epigenetic information. However, there is confusion between situations in which the modifications may be propagated through cell division, thus helping to maintain a pattern of gene expression, and situations in which the modifications are simply part of the transcriptional apparatus. Arguments about the role of the histones have led to a reexamination of the definition of epigenetics and the primary events in development leading to cell type specific gene expression patterns.

Epigenetic mechanisms in heart failure pathogenesis.

Although neurohormonal antagonist and device therapies have improved outcomes in patients with systolic heart failure (HF), residual morbidity and mortality remain high.1,2 Novel HF therapeutic approaches thus remain an unmet clinical need of pressing urgency. Such approaches depend, in turn, on keener understanding of the molecular pathways underlying HF pathogenesis. Although a number of novel myocardial signaling effectors have been implicated as drivers of HF pathogenesis,1,3 translating these findings into human therapies has remained extremely challenging. Gene expression profiling studies in animal HF models4 and in human failing hearts5 consistently demonstrate aberrant gene control in HF. The term epigenetics—a fusion of epigenesis and genetics—was coined ≥50 years ago to describe the process of cell fate commitment during development.6 Today, the epigenome denotes the totality of sequence-independent processes that modulate cell-state–specific gene expression (eg, post-translational histone or DNA modifications and noncoding RNA/protein complex interactions with chromatin).7–10 The epigenome may differ between cell types, drive local formation of higher order chromatin structures, modulate transcription factor (TF) access to DNA, and preserve memory of past transcriptional activities.10 This review focuses on the chromatin-specific epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that may inform novel therapeutic targets in HF. We specifically highlight examples of chromatin remodeling, biochemical modifications to histones, and integrated features of chromatin-dependent signal transduction that are pertinent to cardiac biology. Other epigenetic pathways in HF, including miRNAs, have been extensively reviewed elsewhere.11,12 Eukaryotic cell identity or more broadly, cellular state, is largely governed by precise spatiotemporal coordination of gene expression.9 Pathological transformation from a normal to a diseased cardiomyocyte (eg, hypertrophied and hypocontractile) represents a cell state transition driven by defined transcriptional events. Dynamic interplay among …

Epigenetics and memigenetics.

The field of epigenetics is expanding rapidly, yet there is persistent uncertainty in the definition of the term. The word was coined in the mid-twentieth century as a descriptor of how intrinsic, yet largely unknown, forces act with genes to channel progenitor cells along pathways of differentiation. Near the end of the twentieth century, epigenetics was defined more specifically as the study of changes in gene activity states. In some definitions, only those activity states that are inherited across cell division were considered. Other definitions were broader, also including activity states that are transient, or occurring in non-dividing cells. The greatest point of disagreement in these current definitions, is if the term should concern only inherited activity states. To alleviate this disparity, an alternative term, 'memigenetics', could be used in place of epigenetics to describe inherited chromatin activity states. The advantage of this term is that it is self-defining, and would serve to emphasize the important concept of cell memory. It would also free the term epigenetics to be used in a broader sense in accord with the meaning of the prefix 'epi', that is, as a descriptor of what is 'over' DNA at any point in time.

Clinical development of demethylating agents in hematology.

The term epigenetics refers to the heritable changes in gene expression that are not associated with a change in the actual DNA sequence. Epigenetic dysregulation is linked to the pathogenesis of a number of malignancies and has been studied extensively in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. DNA methylation is frequently altered in cancerous cells and likely results in transcriptional silencing of tumor suppressor genes. Re-expression of these genes by inhibition of the DNA methyltransferases has been successful in the treatment of benign and malignant disease. In this Review, we discuss the clinical development of demethylating agents in hematology, with a focus on azacitidine and decitabine.