Epigenetics in stem-cell differentiation

Embryonic stem cells are capable of self-renewing and differentiating to the desired fate depending on their position in the body. Stem cell homeostasis is maintained through epigenetic mechanisms that are highly dynamic in regulating the chromatin structure as well as specific gene transcription programs.^[1] Epigenetics has been used to refer to changes in gene expression, which are heritable through modifications not affecting the DNA sequence. ^[2]

The mammalian epigenome undergoes global remodeling during early stem cell development that requires commitment of cells to be restricted to the desired lineage. There has been multiple evidence suggesting that the maintenance of the lineage commitment of stem cells is controlled by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and regulation of ATP-dependent remolding of chromatin structure.^[1]^[3] Based on the histone code hypothesis, distinct covalent histone modifications can lead to functionally distinct chromatin structures that influence the cell's fate.

This regulation of chromatin through epigenetic modifications is a molecular mechanism that determines whether the cell continues to differentiate into the desired fate. A research study by Lee et al. examined the effects of epigenetic modifications on the chromatin structure and the modulation of these epigenetic markers during stem cell differentiation through in vitro differentiation of murine embryonic stem (ES) cells.^[4]

^ ^a ^b Zhou Y, Kim J, Yuan X, Braun T (2011). "Epigenetic Modifications of Stem Cells-A Paradigm for the Control of Cardiac Progenitor Cells". Circulation Research. 109 (9): 1067–1081. doi:10.1161/circresaha.111.243709. PMID 21998298.
^
Catania S, Dumesic PA, Pimentel H, Nasif A, Stoddard CI, Burke JE, et al. (January 2020). "Evolutionary Persistence of DNA Methylation for Millions of Years after Ancient Loss of a De Novo Methyltransferase". Cell. 180 (2): 263–277.e20. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2019.12.012. PMC 7197499. PMID 31955845.
- Lay summary in: Lanese N (January 21, 2020). "Scientists uncover new mode of evolution". Live Science.
^ Wang YP, Lei QY (21 May 2018). "Metabolic recoding of epigenetics in cancer". Cancer Commun (Lond). 38 (1): 25. doi:10.1186/s40880-018-0302-3. PMC 5993135. PMID 29784032.
^ Lee J.H.; Hart S.; Skalnik D. (January 2004). "Histone Deacetylase Activity is Required for Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation". Genesis. 38 (1): 32–38. doi:10.1002/gene.10250. PMID 14755802. S2CID 22177426.

[zhou-1] Zhou Y, Kim J, Yuan X, Braun T (2011). "Epigenetic Modifications of Stem Cells-A Paradigm for the Control of Cardiac Progenitor Cells". Circulation Research. 109 (9): 1067–1081. doi:10.1161/circresaha.111.243709. PMID 21998298.

[pmid31955845-2] Catania S, Dumesic PA, Pimentel H, Nasif A, Stoddard CI, Burke JE, et al. (January 2020). "Evolutionary Persistence of DNA Methylation for Millions of Years after Ancient Loss of a De Novo Methyltransferase". Cell. 180 (2): 263–277.e20. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2019.12.012. PMC 7197499. PMID 31955845.
Lay summary in: Lanese N (January 21, 2020). "Scientists uncover new mode of evolution". Live Science.

[3] Lay summary in: Lanese N (January 21, 2020). "Scientists uncover new mode of evolution". Live Science.

[3] Wang YP, Lei QY (21 May 2018). "Metabolic recoding of epigenetics in cancer". Cancer Commun (Lond). 38 (1): 25. doi:10.1186/s40880-018-0302-3. PMC 5993135. PMID 29784032.

[Lee-4] Lee J.H.; Hart S.; Skalnik D. (January 2004). "Histone Deacetylase Activity is Required for Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation". Genesis. 38 (1): 32–38. doi:10.1002/gene.10250. PMID 14755802. S2CID 22177426.

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