Epigenetics: Why Your DNA Isn't Enough
Epigenetics: Why Your DNA Isn't Enough: Dr. Allis introduces the concept of epigenetics; a change in a cellular phenotype that is not due to DNA mutation but due to chemical modifications of proteins that result in changes in gene activation. In the nucleus, DNA is wrapped around proteins called histones to form chromatin. How tightly the chromatin is packaged determines whether genes are active or not. This switch between the "on and off" state of chromatin is regulated by chemical modification of histones. Allis describes work from his lab and others that identified the enzymes that add, remove and recognize the histone modifications. Changes in histone modification can cause a number of diseases including cancer.
A key difference between genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications is that epigenetic changes are reversible making them an attractive drug target.
Epigenetics in Development and Disease: Dr. Allis focuses on the role of epigenetics in development and disease. Histones can be modified on a number of amino acids, particularly lysines, by the addition of acetyl or methyl groups. Combinatorial patterns of these modifications act to enhance or repress gene expression. Allis describes work from his lab and others, which demonstrates that mutations in histone (for instance a lysine to methionine mutation) may block these modifications and, thus, impact gene expression. Sadly, these "onco-histone" mutations have been identified as the cause of many diseases including pediatric brain tumors and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
David Allis is the Joy and Jack Fishman Professor and Head of the Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics at The Rockefeller University.
(from ibiology.org)
1. Epigenetics: Why Your DNA Isn't Enough
Dr. Allis introduces the concept of epigenetics; a change in a cellular phenotype that is not due to DNA mutation but due to chemical modifications of proteins that result in changes in gene activation.
2. Epigenetics in Development and Disease
In this talk, Dr. Allis focuses on the role of epigenetics in development and disease.
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| Epigenetics: How Genes and Environment Interact Human epidemiological and animal experimental data indicate that the risk of developing adult onset diseases and neurological disorders is influenced by persistent adaptations to prenatal and early postnatal environmental exposures. |
| The Ghost In Your Genes Biology stands on the brink of a shift in the understanding of inheritance. The discovery of epigenetics - hidden influences upon the genes - could affect every aspect of our lives. |
| Genetics, Epigenetics, and Disease This lecture described an unusually short DNA sequence, just two base pairs long, CG, which occurs in several chemically different forms. |