20.4 - Epigenetic Control of Gene Expression Flashcards
How epigenetic changes can control gene expression Methods of epigenetic control and their effects on genes Inheritance of epigenetic changes The role of epigenetics in disease and potential drug therapies The effect of RNA interference on gene expression
What is epigenetics?
Heritable chemical modifications to DNA or histones
What is the epigenome?
Layer of chemical tags covering DNA-histone complex
How does the epigenome affect gene expression?
Changes chromatin structure
What are examples of epigenetic modifications?
DNA methylation
What is the effect of increased DNA methylation?
Condenses chromatin
What is the effect of decreased histone acetylation?
Condenses chromatin
What is the effect of decreased DNA methylation or increased histone acetylation?
Increases gene expression
Can epigenetic patterns be inherited?
Yes
What are examples of inherited epigenetic changes?
Drought resistance in plants
What diseases can be caused by abnormal epigenetic regulation?
Cancer
How can drugs counteract problematic epigenetic changes?
DNA hypomethylating agents
What is RNA interference?
Small RNA molecules inhibit gene expression
How does RNA interference occur?
siRNA formed
