Heritable changes in the gene functions
Histone deacetylation
Knowledge of epigenetics
RNA interference (RNAi)
siRNA
Heritable changes in the gene
In eukaryotes, epigenetics refers to the heritable changes in gene function that do not involve any change to the DNA sequence. This underpins an embryo’s ability to differentiate its cells into specialised lineages for different organs and tissues in the adult: skin tissue, muscle tissue, nervous tissue, etc.
Transcription can be inhibited by specific means. A common way is increased DNA methylation. The methyl (CH3) group acts as a tag on the DNA at various locations and prevents transcription that might’ve occurred otherwise.
Histone deacetylation
Another chemical modification that can induce epigenetic effects and control gene expression is histone deacetylation. Histones hold the DNA chromatin and help to compress it. In its acetylated state, it is relaxed and the DNA can be accessed by transcription machinery. Deacetylation results in the tightening of chromatin around the histones, no longer making the genetic material accessible.
Knowledge of epigenetics
Knowledge of epigenetics can help in addressing various illness including cancer. Controlling gene expression remotely is much easier than having to change the DNA sequence itself. Drugs can act as signals for specific genes to be activated or deactivated. In the case of cancer, it has been shown that cancer cells switch off the genes associated with tumour detection. They also show additional epigenetic anomalies such as histone modifications and deregulation of proteins that bind DNA.
RNA interference (RNAi)
A major component in the regulation of transcription and translation is RNA interference, notably via microRNA (miRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA).
miRNA is a sequence complementary to a portion of transcribed mRNA. Upon binding a complex protein, it attaches to the section of target mRNA, thus blocking translation as well as..