Epigenetic Modifications

Improved Essays
Show More
Currently, the best-known epigenetic modifications are DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications, such as methylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, and phosphorylation (Portela & Esteller, 2010) and they are essential for the normal growth and development of superior organisms. Increasingly, epigenetic-related alterations are claimed to be associated with various diseases, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease, other neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Urdinguio et al, 2009) and cancer (Fraga et al, 2005).

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Laforin Isoform X4 Case 3
    • 269 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Laforin Isoform X4 Case 3

    Case 3 Sequence 2: Laforin Isoform X4 (EPM2A) Lafora progressive myoclonus epilepsy is a brain disorder which results in frequent seizures along with a degeneration of intellectual function (“What is Lafora,” 2009). This is the worst teenage-onset progressive epilepsy. Progressive epilepsy means a condition that affects the central nervous system and grows increasingly worse over time (“Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy”). The gene EPM2A, which provides instructions for creating the protein laforin influenced the survival of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain (“What genes are related,” 2009).…

    • 269 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Genetic Change In Mice
    • 737 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Genetic Change In Mice

    The first video starts off by showing the change of the New Mexico’s Valley of Fire’s land. It had changed because of volcano eruptions that occurred about 1,000 years ago. It made a river of lava over 40 miles long through the dessert. When the lava cooled off, it left the ground black leaving animals that needed camouflage in trouble. The rock pocket mouse uses the dessert sands for protection because it blends in with it.…

    • 737 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Survival Of The Sickest Summary
    • 1071 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Survival Of The Sickest Summary

    In a perfect world, evolution would vote against all of the disease and harmful genes that ever existed in humans and other life-forms. After millions of years of selective processes geared toward survival, why is surviving still such a struggle? Dr. Sharon Moalem’s Survival of the Sickest deals entirely with the study of evolution and a variety of theories related to how humans, genes, microbes, viruses, and animals have evolved to survive through mutation and natural selection. Each chapter begins with anecdotes that lead into a well-researched collection of evidence and theories related to different aspects of evolution. First, Dr. Moalem covered the history of hemochromatosis, a disease where too much iron builds up in the blood of the…

    • 1071 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Summary Of Tweak In Gene Expression
    • 639 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Summary Of Tweak In Gene Expression

    The article “Tweak in Gene Expression May Have Helped Humans Walk Upright” found on Science Daily discusses work conducted by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. These researchers have been able to distinguish what gave us humans the ability to walk upright through research conducted on the fish threespine stickleback. The fish has evolved multiple times over time in order to match different environments around the world. David Kingsley, professor at Stanford University, believes that changes in gene expression levels of bone morphogenetic molecules are partly why we have evolved from having a chimp like hind food to being able to walk upright on two legs.…

    • 639 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Research Paper On ALS
    • 2288 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Research Paper On ALS

    As research is developed, there is an increasing number of gene mutations that are related and contribute to both types- sporadic and familial. Mutations in genes are harmful because they disrupt the levels of protein and disrupt the function of RNA throughout the body, as well as disrupt the initial development of motor…

    • 2288 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    How Does Epigenome Change
    • 309 Words
    • 2 Pages

    How Does Epigenome Change

    Parents pass the genome to their children and during the passing of the epigenome, it is reset. The epigenome can change throughout a lifetime. Many factors can change it such as: smoking and diet. Epigenomes “mark” the genome by attaching to DNA and adjusting the function. The marks can be passed down between generations or when cells divide.…

    • 309 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Decent Essays

    Epigenetics And Inheritance Summary
    • 222 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Epigenetics And Inheritance Summary

    It was commonly believed that our genetic destiny is fixed at birth. But 'Inheritance' by Sharon Moalem shows us that our genome is far more flexible than we have ever imagined. By writing about different real like examples, Dr. Moalem creatively crafts his book so that we can understand the complicated concepts of epigenetics and, ultimately, how rare enetic disorders teach us moreabout our well-being. The following excerpt explains the general concept of epigenetics through a study in bees. I chose this excerpt because through this we can understand that epigenetics is what shapes the world and what has allowed us to progress this far.…

    • 222 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Epigenetic Lab Report
    • 694 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Epigenetic Lab Report

    Epigenetics is defined as the study of changes in organisms resulting from modifications in gene expressions. The use of stem cells prove to be a vital part in the course of Epigenetics. Stem cells are characterized by two traits. They are self-renewal, able to divide into more identical cells and pluripotency, which allow the cells to become any kind of cell such as Erthrocyte or osteoclast. The relationship between epignetics and stem cells paved a pathway to an experiment relating to the relationship between TET, a protein that oxidizes certain kinds of DNA and stems cells and its properties when it is both modified and unmodified, by OGT, an enzyme that modifies other proteins with different materials such as sugar.…

    • 694 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Genetics In Human Behavior
    • 1159 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Genetics In Human Behavior

    DNA is our genetic code, it is permanent and unchangeable. Epigenetics are the mechanisms that influence DNA, it is the device that inhibits or increases our gene expression. Epigenetics can be influenced by many factors, for example nutrition and stress. Although the actual makeup of our genetic code isn’t changed by these factors, the extent to which the genes are expressed can be (Rettner, 2013). Epigeneticist Moshe Szyf highlighted the ways in which different behaviors can influence genetics in his TedTalk, How Early Life Experience is Written into DNA.…

    • 1159 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Why Is Epigenetics Important?
    • 382 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Why Is Epigenetics Important?

    The study of heritable changes in gene expression without a change in DNA sequence is defined as epigenetics. Epigenetics covers a variety of areas in life science such as, biological sciences, effect of pollutants, etc.. The study of epigenetics is important because it allows researchers to trace the causes of certain diseases, follow the effects pollution has in humans and understand how eating habits can alter a person's appearance. Epigenetic modifications can affect the level of expression and timing of specific genes. This in turn causes those genes to be on when they should be off or vice versa, the alteration may contribute to the formation of disease or the progression of it .…

    • 382 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Ime4 Synthesis
    • 382 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Ime4 Synthesis

    The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) within organisms can be methylated while proteins can be either methylated or acetylated. The methylation of DNA and RNA is used for alternative splicing used for production of different mRNA molecules resulting in numerous new proteins. One of the molecules believed to perform the methylation is N6A or N6 methyladenosine. Methylation is the most observed modification to mRNA molecules. Methylation of both DNA and RNA ensures conservation of the catalytic properties of the catalytic residues.…

    • 382 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Epigenetic Changes
    • 617 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Epigenetic Changes

    Cells can become cancerous when gene regulation is disrupted. Factors affecting gene regulation include mutations in DNA sequence, nucleosome positioning, chromatin organization and epigenetic changes in DNA methylation and histone modifications. Numerous genetic mutations of inherited cancers have been identified, as there is a large body of research dedicated to identifying DNA mutations that are linked to tumor initiation. After initiation, tumor progression often occurs due to multiple additional dysregulation events, including epigenetic changes which are often not as easily identifiable as DNA mutations (Feinberg et al. 2004). Although epigenetic factors can also initiate tumors, this paper will focus on epigenetic changes that occur…

    • 617 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Causes Of Autism Spectrum Disorders
    • 1752 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Causes Of Autism Spectrum Disorders

    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects the brain’s development of social and communication skills. A person with autism may have repetitive behaviors, social challenges, and communication difficulties which last throughout a person’s lifetime. About one percent of the world’s population is living with autism, and about 3.5 million Americans are living with an ASD. There is no known single cause for autism, but most accept that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Brain scans show differences in the brain structure when compared to a neurotypical brain (Autism-Society).…

    • 1752 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Alzheimer's Disease Argumentative Analysis
    • 394 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Alzheimer's Disease Argumentative Analysis

    There is much controversy that has arisen concerning the topic of causative factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease; however, according to the Mayo Clinic in their article “Alzheimer’s Disease” (2015), “scientists believe that for most people, Alzheimer's disease results from a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time.” Even though there are many controversial opinions about causative agents, one common factor that is present in many statements about Alzheimer’s is that it has a clear effect on the brain. Researchers have examined healthy brain tissue in comparison to brain tissue of people affected with Alzheimer’s and have found abnormalities in 2 components in the brain. These abnormalities…

    • 394 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Summary Of The Video 'Ghost In Your Genes'
    • 534 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Summary Of The Video 'Ghost In Your Genes'

    Epigenetics are responsible for the “ghost” of the genome, enabling organisms identical by genotype to differ significantly in phenotype. It is referred to as a ghost because it was previously undetectable, and therefore mysterious. One important experiment to epigenetics involved a gene in mice that tell their body when to stop eating. In a mouse that is yellow and fat, the gene is turned off by the epigenome, whereas in a brown skinny mouse the gene is turned on. Interestingly, when the fat mouse was only allowed to eat extremely nutritional food, it bore only pups with the gene turned on.…

    • 534 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2024 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings