EPIGENETIC REGULATION: A KEY MECHANISM IN GENE EXPRESSION CONTROL

KEY MECHANISMS OF EPIGENETIC REGULATION

• DNA Methylation: DNA methylation is the addition of a methyl group to the cytosine residues in CpG dinucleotides, which typically leads to gene repression.
• Histone Modifications: Histones are proteins around which DNA is wrapped. Acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation of histones alter chromatin structure, regulating gene accessibility.
• Non-Coding RNAs: miRNAs and lncRNAs regulate gene expression at the RNA level, interacting with both RNA and chromatin.
• Chromatin Remodeling: A critical process involving proteins that modify chromatin to control gene access and expression.

The interplay between these epigenetic mechanisms creates a complex regulatory network that governs gene expression in response to internal and external cues. Understanding these mechanisms not only sheds light on fundamental biological processes but also opens avenues for therapeutic interventions in diseases where epigenetic dysregulation plays a critical role.