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Epigenetics is an important part of our gene expression and life chances essay
Epigenetics is an important part of our gene expression and life chances essay
Epigenetics is an important part of our gene expression and life chances essay
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“If Genetics was the recipe then Epigenetics would be the Chef who would create his own idea of how to present the dish”, ~ Eliza Hazlerigg Introduction; For 70+ years now we have been working on our Epigenome but not really understood what it is or what it can do for us but, thanks to the works of Dr. Conrad H. Waddington “Epigenetic Landscape” 1939, Epigenetics ~ Is the term coined to explain a variety of “bizarre” phenotypic phenomena in different organisms that can’t be elucidated by Mendelian Genetics. It is like a bridge between geno and phenotypes ~ giving explanation to how cells carrying identical DNA differentiate into different cell types and how this differentiated state remains stable; o More recently it has evolved to mean “modifications” to DNA that affect gene expression but do not involve base changes These changes are regular and naturally occurring nevertheless can be heavily influenced by several factors such as; • Age • Environment & life style • Or disease state. “According to Dr. Lipton, the true secret to life does not lie within your DNA, but rather within the mechanisms of your cell membrane.” There are 4 main mechanisms of modification and regulation of gene expression; DNA methylation, Chromatin Remodeling (architecture), Histone Modification and RNAi (interference/interactions) 1. DNA ~ Methylation This “DNA methylation” is the most widely studied of the modifications employing many roles, ~ There was a small experiment done on DNA~ Methylation and mottled mice ~ There is a gene which accounts for colouration, the Agouti gene, the most interesting of the Agouti genes is the Agouti viable yellow “Avy “ Avy is a low methylated gene and consequently highly active in all cells o... ... middle of paper ... ...39-0512-6_10.Use of Genome-Wide RNAi Screens to Identify Regulators of Embryonic Stem Cell Pluripotency and Self-Renewal. Zheng X1, Hu G. 14. The Epigenetics Revolution, Nessa Carey, 2011 eBook 15. Encyclopaedia of Molecular Cell biology and molecular medicine, Robert Meyers, 2004, Wiley (page 221/426/385/416/237/ 2224/5321/5414/8869) 16. Mechanisms and Functions of ATP-Dependent Chromatin-Remodeling Enzymes Geeta J. Narlikar, Tom Owen-Hughes Email DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2013.07.011 17. Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 119: Chromatin Protocols Edited by: P. B. Becker 1999 18. Zhao X, Su J, Wang F, Liu D, Ding J, et al. (2013) Crosstalk between NSL Histone Acetyltransferase and MLL/SET Complexes: NSL Complex Functions in Promoting Histone H3K4 Di-Methylation Activity by MLL/SET Complexes. PLoS Genet 9(11): e1003940. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1003940
Miller, K. R., & Levine, J. S. (2010). Miller & Levine biology. Boston, Mass.: Pearson.
The book Genome by Matt Ridley tells the story of the relationship between genome and life by examining the twenty three chromosomes of the human DNA. Each chromosome literally and metaphorically becomes a chapter in the literal and metaphorical book of DNA. In this book of DNA, Ridley examines a particular aspect of the chromosomes chapter by chapter to see how it affects life and humanity’s understanding of life, humans and genetics itself. Although each chapter dives into different aspects of DNA and gathers stories as varied as the genes’ applications, Ridley connects them with important ideas about life and humanity’s understanding of life.
Schulman, Joshua M., and David E. Fisher. "Abstract." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 28 Aug. 0005. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
Proteins called transcription factors, however, play a particularly central role in regulating transcription. These important proteins help determine which genes are active in each cell of your body.
Epigenetics is the word that is used for genes that are modified in order to assist certain genome sequences that lead to diseases and disorders. Epigenetics has come a long way since the first genome sequence had its draft breakthrough in the year 2000 (NOVA 2012). From depression to cancer, epigenetics has made its way through to provide families with the appropriate knowledge and perhaps medication in order to avoid these diseases and disorders in the future.
Miller, K. R., & Levine, J. S. (2010). Miller & Levine biology. Boston, Mass: Pearson
8. Becker W. M, Hardin J, Kleinsmith L.J an Bertoni G (2010) Becker’s World of the Cell, 8th edition, San Francisco, Pearson Education Inc- Accessed 23/11/2013.
Can you imagine knowing your own genetic code? Going into the doctor for a routine physical and leaving with the knowledge of your genetic downfalls so that you may prevent disease and cancers. This may seem unbelievable but it is likely to be implemented in the near future. Since the start of the human genome project, the medical community has been anxiously awaiting its completion because the applications it has to this field are obviously enormous. However, we still have much to learn about genetic variability and the information we gain can be used to prevent, repair, and eradicate illness.
Also, our thoughts and experiences are continually impacting our genes and future generations. He proves that what we do with our genome is just as important as the genes we inherit. We can not only prolong life but be in control of what goes on in our body. Our ancestors passed down their rare genetic expressions to make the most of them and to add our touches on them from the way we choose to live. Hopefully, before it is too late, we possess the power to shape our genetic inheritance and live while facing the truth about our genes. Our genes do not determine our destiny, we do. Given the opportunity, it is of great importance to transform our lives based on prior knowledge and experiences. Our decisions will forever be changing the course of our
No one knew how heredity (passing traits) worked until Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, crossbred pea plants in his monastery kitchen garden in 1865. In 1869, gene-hunters found rod-like shape in the nucleus of cells that turned red when dye was added. They named this “Chromosome”, from a Greek word, chroma for color. They also went deeper into the cell and discovered a wispy microscopic thread within the chromosomes, which they named DNA. There were several scientists who did not know about Mendel’s breakthrough at the time, but then in 1900, they rediscovered his experiment and old journal copies.
Phelan, J. (2011). What Is Life? A Guide To Biology with Physiology. New York: Peter Marshall.
Citation: Philips, T. (2008) Regulation of Transcription and gene expression in Eukaryotes. Nature Education 1(1)
The background information began providing clear explanation for hematopoiesis whereby hematopoiesis is the process of cell differentiation to blood and immune cells from multipotent hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells. It carried on by explaining the processes which are regulated by general RNA polymerase II transcriptional machinery and lineage specific transcriptional factors that specify the diverse cell type’s development. Then information started to come together in the direction of this study giving an overview of what this study will focus on which is Med 12 mediator. Mediators are an essential component regulating RNA polymerase II with enhancer bound regulatory factors and it exists in two major forms, the core complex and Med12-mediator. The core complex is a strong co-activator of transcription made up of 25 subunits with Med26 while Med12-mediator is able to positively and negatively control transcription. Med12 mediator has the same 25 subunits but with the addition of Med12 module that consists of Med12, Med13, CDK8 and Cyclin C. The Med12 module negatively affects transcription by inhibiting RNAP II re-initiation while Med12 positively affect transcription by interacting with SOX9 and Rta. There was an extremely detailed explanation of those individual subunits of the complex interacting specifically with different activators and repressors to regulate specific signaling pathways for example nuclear receptors interacts with Med1, MAP kinase pathway requires Med23, CDK8 interacts with myc and Med15 is required for TGFb signaling however the molecular mechanism of mediator regulatory function is not well understood. It carries on explaining the importance of Med12 in vivo pro...
...ional Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 24 Jan. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.
Paabo, S. (2001). The human genome and our view of ourselves. Science Magazine 291, 1219-1220.