Epigenomics

For other uses, see Epigenomics (journal) and Epigenomics AG.

Epigenomics is the study of the complete set of epigenetic modifications on the genetic material of a cell, known as the epigenome. The field is analogous to genomics and proteomics, which are the study of the genome and proteome of a cell.[1][2] Epigenetic modifications are reversible modifications on a cell's DNA or histones that affect gene expression without altering the DNA sequence.[3] Epigenomic maintenance is a continuous process and plays an important role in stability of eukaryotic genomes by taking part in crucial biological mechanisms like DNA repair.[4][5] Plant flavones are said to be inhibiting epigenomic marks that cause cancers.[6] Two of the most characterized epigenetic modifications are DNA methylation and histone modification. Epigenetic modifications play an important role in gene expression and regulation, and are involved in numerous cellular processes such as in differentiation/development[7] and tumorigenesis.[8] The study of epigenetics on a global level has been made possible only recently through the adaptation of genomic high-throughput assays.[9][7]

  1. ^ Russell 2010, p. 217.
  2. ^ Russell 2010, p. 230.
  3. ^ Russell 2010, p. 475.
  4. ^ Alabert C, Groth A (February 2012). "Chromatin replication and epigenome maintenance" (PDF). Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology. 13 (3): 153–67. doi:10.1038/nrm3288. PMID 22358331. S2CID 10911203.
  5. ^ Ghosh S, Sinha JK, Raghunath M (September 2016). "Epigenomic maintenance through dietary intervention can facilitate DNA repair process to slow down the progress of premature aging". IUBMB Life. 68 (9): 717–21. doi:10.1002/iub.1532. PMID 27364681.
  6. ^ "The Potential Epigenetic and Anticancer Power of Dietary Flavones". 2016-10-11.
  7. ^ a b Zhu J, Adli M, Zou JY, Verstappen G, Coyne M, Zhang X, et al. (January 2013). "Genome-wide chromatin state transitions associated with developmental and environmental cues". Cell. 152 (3): 642–54. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2012.12.033. PMC 3563935. PMID 23333102.
  8. ^ Russell 2010, p. 597.
  9. ^ Laird PW (March 2010). "Principles and challenges of genomewide DNA methylation analysis". Nature Reviews. Genetics. 11 (3): 191–203. doi:10.1038/nrg2732. PMID 20125086. S2CID 6780101.