Chromosome and Epigenetics Flashcards
What is epigenetics?
Describes the stable inheritance of phenotypes, that relies on specific gene expression profiles but with no change to the DNA sequence
What is chromatin?
Chromatin = protein + DNA
Proteins are known as histones: H3, H4, H2A, H2B and H1
What are nucleosomes?
Consists of 146bp wrapped around a histone octamer (1 tetramer of H3 and H4 and two dimers of H2A and H2B). Surrounding the nucleosome core is a linker histone, H1, which can compact the nucleosomes into higher-order structures that further condense the DNA
What is the difference between hetero- and euchromatin? (2)
- Heterochromatin is more tightly packed forms of DNA while euchromatin is the decondensed open form
- Hetero is transcriptionally inactive as opposed to the eu-
What are the types of histone modifications? (2)
Histones have N and C terminal tails which can be modified post-transitionally
- Histone Acetylation
- Histone Modification
Explain Histone acetylation
It is the addition of acetyl groups to specific amino acids (such as lysine) on specific histones
Triggers transcription. Acetylation removes the positive charge of histone tails which allows for looser structure
Explain histone methylation
It is the addition of methyl groups to histone tails. Can be mono-,di- and trimethylated.
Specific lysine or arginine residues are commonly modified on H3 and H4. Can indicate active or inactive chromatin.
Give examples of histone methylation and its effect (2)
- H3K4 tri-methylation is associated with active genes
- H3K9 tri-methylation is a mark of heterochromatin added by Suvar3-9 and recognised by heterochromatin protein 1
What types of chromatin changes are associated with changes in gene activity? (3)
- Histone modification
- Histone remodelling
- Variant histones
Give an example of a variant histone
CENP-A - variant of H3
Centromeric chromatin contains CENP-A which is where kinetochore form which will be the point of attachment.
Core Centromere surrounded by heterochromatin
Explain the theory behind variegated eyes in drosophila
In the rearrangement and inversion of the white gene in drosophila, the white gene now finds itself near the heterochromatic centromere.
In some cells, the heterochromatin can “spread” to the neighbouring euchromatin and silence the white gene.
What does variegated eyes show about epigenetic silencing?
This illustrates to two features of epigenetic silencing: expression of a gene can be repressed by virtue of its position in chromosome and that epigenetic silencing can be inherited.
What is the effect of methylating DNA?
Methylation of CG dinucleotides is a repressive and heritable epigenetic mark
What are CpG islands?
Unmethylated CG dinucleotides are found in clusters near gene promoters.
High CpG and thus GC content, unmethylated and open chromatin.
How does dosage compensation occur in sex chromosomes?
X inactivation occurs through heterochromatin formation
CpG islands of X inactivated genes become methylated except at Xist.