LECTURE 6 (epigenetics and development) Flashcards
What’s epigenetics?
modify the expression of certain genes normally down regulating, this is done w/o changing nt seq
Does epigenetic usually down regulate or up regulate genes?
downregulate
By which two ways can epigenetics act w/o changing the nt seq?
by altering histones or by modifying gene expression (expression of genes that do not involve changes in nt seq=
In which two forms in chromatin present?
Euchromatine: uncondensed express genes
heterochromatin: condensed form transcriptionally silent near centromeres inactive
What are ES cells?
embryonic stem cells. they can be any particular type of cells however epigenetically modified cells can difficultly be stem cells bc it’s difficult to go from specialized to pluripotent
Where does gene regulation occur?
at many lvld how chr is packaged, TF where the gene is positioned in the genome…
What’s the difference bt TF and epigenetic modifier?
the epigenetic modifier can change the level of transcription for example at a promoter region whereas a TF can only control the rate of transcription.
hist chr DNA ? which order?
DNA+histones = chr
How’s a mutation in normal genetics?
tit affects the germ line so passed through generations
How’s a mutation in epigenetics?
they’re NOT mutations they’re alterations and affect somatic cells (however there’re some examples of epigenetic modifications that persist through generations)
mutations or alterations in epigenetics?
the histone changes or modification of gene expression are alterations NOT mutations
DNA methylation what is it?
It’s the addition of a methyl group to the 5th carbon of e.g cytosine to form methyl citosine if 5mC is deaminated is converted in Thymine
What does CpG means?
those are CG islands when CG changes to TG
Why are CG islands bad?
because they can cause an stop codon e.g CGA to TGA!!!
What are CG islands for?
if they’re methylated the gene is repressed they can be removed actively or passively
