Epigenetics

• Epigenetics


  A heritable change in gene function without change to the base sequence of DNA
• How increased methylation of DNA affects gene transcription


  1. Involves addition of a CH3 group to cytosine bases which are next to guanine

  2. Prevents transcription factors from binding

  3. Gene transcription is suppressed
• How decreased acetylation of histones affects gene transcription


  1. Positively charged histones bind to negatively-charged DNA

  2. Decreasing acetylation increases positive charge of histones

  3. Binding becomes too tight & prevents transcription factors from accessing the DNA

  4. Gene transcription is suppressed
• How epigenetic changes affect humans

  • They can cause disease, either by over activating a gene's function (such as in cancer) or by suppressing it
• Application of epigenetics


  • Treatments of various diseases
  • Development of ways to reverse epigenetic changes