Epigenetics
Epigenetic changes affect gene expression in different ways. Types
of epigenetic changes include:
DNA Methylation
DNA methylation works by adding a chemical group to DNA.
Typically, this group is added to specific places on the DNA, where it
blocks the proteins that attach to DNA to “read” the gene. This
chemical group can be removed through a process called
demethylation. Typically, methylation turns genes “off” and
demethylation turns genes “on.”
Histone modification
DNA wraps around proteins called histones. DNA wrapped tightly
around histones cannot be accessed by proteins that “read” the
gene. Some genes are wrapped around histones and are turned
“off” while some genes are not wrapped around histones and are
turned “on.” Chemical groups can be added or removed from
histones and change whether a gene is unwrapped or wrapped (“on”
or “off”).
Non-coding RNA
Your DNA is used as instructions for making coding and non-coding
RNA. Coding RNA is used to make proteins. Non-coding RNA helps
control gene expression by attaching to coding RNA, along with
certain proteins, to break down the coding RNA so that it cannot be
used to make proteins. Non-coding RNA may also recruit proteins to
modify histones to turn genes “on” or “off.”
How Can Your Epigenetics Change?
Your epigenetics change as you age, both as part of normal
development and aging and in response to your behaviors and
environment.
1. Epigenetics and Development
Epigenetic changes begin before you are born. All your cells
have the same genes but look and act differently. As you grow
and develop, epigenetics helps determine which function a cell
will have, for example, whether it will become a heart cell,
nerve cell, or skin cell.
Example: Nerve cell vs. Muscle cell
Your muscle cells and nerve cells have the same DNA but work
differently. A nerve cell transports information to other cells in your
body. A muscle cell has a structure that aids in your body’s ability to
move. Epigenetics allows the muscle cell to turn “on” genes to make
Epigenetic changes affect gene expression in different ways. Types
of epigenetic changes include:
DNA Methylation
DNA methylation works by adding a chemical group to DNA.
Typically, this group is added to specific places on the DNA, where it
blocks the proteins that attach to DNA to “read” the gene. This
chemical group can be removed through a process called
demethylation. Typically, methylation turns genes “off” and
demethylation turns genes “on.”
Histone modification
DNA wraps around proteins called histones. DNA wrapped tightly
around histones cannot be accessed by proteins that “read” the
gene. Some genes are wrapped around histones and are turned
“off” while some genes are not wrapped around histones and are
turned “on.” Chemical groups can be added or removed from
histones and change whether a gene is unwrapped or wrapped (“on”
or “off”).
Non-coding RNA
Your DNA is used as instructions for making coding and non-coding
RNA. Coding RNA is used to make proteins. Non-coding RNA helps
control gene expression by attaching to coding RNA, along with
certain proteins, to break down the coding RNA so that it cannot be
used to make proteins. Non-coding RNA may also recruit proteins to
modify histones to turn genes “on” or “off.”
How Can Your Epigenetics Change?
Your epigenetics change as you age, both as part of normal
development and aging and in response to your behaviors and
environment.
1. Epigenetics and Development
Epigenetic changes begin before you are born. All your cells
have the same genes but look and act differently. As you grow
and develop, epigenetics helps determine which function a cell
will have, for example, whether it will become a heart cell,
nerve cell, or skin cell.
Example: Nerve cell vs. Muscle cell
Your muscle cells and nerve cells have the same DNA but work
differently. A nerve cell transports information to other cells in your
body. A muscle cell has a structure that aids in your body’s ability to
move. Epigenetics allows the muscle cell to turn “on” genes to make
