EPIGENETICS

• What is epigenetics?

  Mechanisms of gene regulation inherited stably
• How does epigenetics differ from genetics?

  It does not change the DNA sequence
• How long has the field of epigenetics been studied?

  About 50 years
• What are some diseases associated with disrupted epigenetic control?

  Behavioral disorders and tissue growth disorders
• What is the epigenome?

  • It directs cell differentiation
  • Does not change DNA
  • Determines gene expression

  
• What is the role of the genome in relation to the epigenome?

  The genome carries out orders from the epigenome
• What is epigenetic inheritance?

  Passing epigenetic tags from generation to generation
• What happens to epigenetic tags during zygote formation?

  Many tags are removed, some remain
• How do identical twins relate to epigenetic tags?

  They have similar epigenomes but can differ later
• What does it mean if a parent experiences epigenetic changes?

  These changes can be passed to offspring
• What factors during pregnancy can affect the transmission of the epigenome?

  Nutrition, stress, and toxins
• How can lifestyle choices affect epigenomes?

  They can turn genes on or off
• What was the first epigenetic drug approved?

  Azacitidine
• What diseases are scientists trying to develop epigenetic medicines for?

  Cancer, schizophrenia, and diabetes
• What is DNA methylation?

  A methyl group tells genes to express

  
• How do histones affect gene expression?

  Tighter winding reduces gene expression

  
• What are the three techniques of epigenetic regulation?

  1. Phosphorylation
  2. Acetylation
  3. Methylation (most common)
• Why do different cells express different genes?

  Due to gene regulation, not DNA changes
• What is genomic imprinting?

  Inheriting only one working copy of a gene
• How are imprinted genes silenced?

  Through the addition of methyl groups

  
• What happens to epigenetic tags during egg and sperm formation?

  They are reset during formation

  
• What is the significance of parental conflict theory in genomic imprinting?

  It balances interests of both parents

  
• What problems can arise from genomic imprinting?

  Defective alleles or uniparental disomy
• How does DNA hypomethylation affect cancer?

  It can activate oncogenes and instability
• What are Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes?

  Imprint disorders causing abnormal phenotypes

  
• How does abnormal DNA methylation affect lupus patients?

  It leads to decreased DNA methyltransferase activity
• What types of disorders are linked to epigenetics?

  Cancer, neuropsychiatric, and pediatric syndromes