Review article

Epigenetics and gene physiology

Koraljka Gall Trošelj orcid.org/0000-0001-7501-7614 ; Division of molecular medicine, Laboratory for epigenomics, Rudjer Boskovic Institute
Renata Novak Kujundžić ; Division of molecular medicine, Laboratory for epigenomics, Rudjer Boskovic Institute
Ivana Grbeša ; Division of molecular medicine, Laboratory for epigenomics, Rudjer Boskovic Institute

Abstract

Epigenetics is focused on gene physiology, analyzing inherited variations in gene expression, while genomics is focused on gene anatomy, analyzing gene structure. DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications are the basic epigentic mechanisms
regulating gene activity. These two processes complement each other, creating an epigenetic network of events which regulates specifi c gene activity. Establishing a particular type of epigenetic network depends on the anatomy of both the gene and its promoter, as well as the permanent interaction of exogenic and endogenic factors, which result in a particular epigenetic mark. As a result of new data, the importance of epigenetic marks as a reversible
process, is becoming increasingly relevant to disease development, especially for cancer. One looks forward to the promise, still to be fully realized, of research in epigenetics, including new approaches to therapy and the development of “smart” epigenetic drugs.

Keywords

DNA methylation; epigenetics; histone modification ERRATUM - tehničkom greškom uz ime dr.sc. Koraljka Gall Trošelj pridružena je nastavna titula prof. koja ne odgovara statusu autorice članka

Hrčak ID:

38807

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/38807

Publication date:

1.6.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 5.269 *