Fetal Reprogramming & Epigenetic Modification Flashcards
What is fetal reprogramming?
Environmental factors during pregnancy, like nutrition or stress, can influence fetal development and long-term health outcomes.
How does fetal programming affect adult health?
It can predispose individuals to conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders.
What are the types of epigenetic modifications?
They include DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs, all of which regulate gene expression without changing the DNA sequence.
Why are epigenetic modifications important in reproductive medicine?
They affect gamete development and embryo viability, with implications for procedures like IVF.
How does histone acetylation affect gene expression?
It loosens chromatin, increasing accessibility for transcription factors, and promotes gene expression.
What factors during pregnancy influence fetal reprogramming?
Maternal nutrition, stress, physical activity, and toxin exposure can alter the fetal epigenome and long-term health.
How can maternal stress influence fetal development?
It can alter the fetal epigenome, increasing risks of anxiety, depression, and metabolic disorders in offspring.
What are non-coding RNAs, and how do they regulate gene expression?
Non-coding RNAs regulate mRNA stability, translation, and chromatin accessibility, influencing gene expression.
How does assisted reproductive technology (ART) influence fetal programming?
ART procedures like ovarian stimulation and embryo culture can alter the epigenome, potentially affecting long-term health
What is epigenetics?
Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence. These changes can affect how genes are turned on or off without changing the actual genetic code.
What is DNA methylation, and how does it affect gene expression?
DNA methylation involves the addition of a methyl group to the DNA, typically at cytosine bases. This modification can repress gene expression by:
Preventing transcription factors from accessing the DNA.
Recruiting proteins that compact the chromatin, making it less accessible for transcription.
What are histone modifications, and how do they influence gene expression?
Histone modifications are post-translational changes to histone proteins, such as acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation. These modifications alter the structure of chromatin, impacting the accessibility of DNA and, therefore, influencing gene expression
What are non-coding RNAs, and what is their role in gene regulation?
Non-coding RNAs are RNA molecules that do not encode proteins but play a crucial role in regulating gene expression. They can:
Interfere with mRNA stability.
Inhibit mRNA translation.
Modulate the expression of target genes.
How do sperm and oocytes differ in their epigenetic modifications?
Sperm and oocytes have distinct patterns of epigenetic modifications, including differences in DNA methylation and histone modification. These differences play a role in the regulation of gene expression during early development after fertilization.
