Epigenetics

Question 1

Epigenetics

Answer 1

Changes caused by modification of gene expression and not the genetic code.
“Inheritance of a trait without a change in DNA sequence.”

Question 2

Prion Hypothesis

Answer 2

Toxic protein aggregates form due to a confrontational change. These are termed “Prions”. Prions cause prion diseases e.g. Mad Cow Disease

Question 3

Epigenetic Inheritance based on CpG methylation (Imprinting)

Answer 3

Certain genes are subject to imprinting in mammals.

i.e. Their expression depends on whether they are inherited from the mother or the father.

Question 4

Methylation generally leads to transcriptional activation or transcriptional repression?

Answer 4

Repression

Question 5

Methylation generally leads to transcriptional activation or transcriptional repression?

Answer 5

Transcriptional Repression
CpG hypomethylation = Maximal Expression (Generally)
CpG hypermethylation = Expression Silenced (Generally)