Epigenetic factors

4 important questions on Epigenetic factors

What is epigenetic? And what are the main mechanisms?


epigenetic is:
  • External modifications to DNA that turn genes 'on' or 'off'
  • 'above genetics' does not alter DNA sequence, but affects gene expression

Main mechanisms:
  • DNA methylation
  • Histone modification
  • Non-coding RNA

Epigenetics and DNA methylation

It is reversible and bidirectional



verkeerd plaatje:
  • Addition of a methyl group to a cytosine base at a cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG)
  • Hypermethylation of CpG sites in promoter regions of genes is related to gene silencing (tissue specific)
    • repressed gene transcription
    • relatively reduced transcription

Diet in early life and DNA methylation (some studys/hypothosis) (4)

  • Developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD)
  • Barker hypotheis
  • Fetal programming hypothesis
  • Early origins hypothesis
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Discover Study Smart

The Dutch hunger Winter Study

Poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy may lead to increased disease susceptibility in later life

Stijging van
  • Obesity
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Kidney disease

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