The Epigenome Flashcards
What is the genome?
→ The complete set of genetic material in a cell
→ DNA sequence present in a full set of chromosomes
What forms the first level of packing?
→ Histone proteins forming nucleosomes
What are the features of euchromatin?
→ Gene rich
→ transcriptionally active
→ nucleosomes are far apart
What are the features of heterochromatin?
→ Gene poor
→ less transcriptionally active
→ condensed appearance
→ repetitive DNA
Describe the packaging of DNA
→ Nucleosomes wound to make 30nm fibres
→ fibres wound up further with scaffold proteins
→ chromosomes are most densely packed
What is the epigenome?
→ the sum of all the heritable changes in the genome that do not occur in the primary DNA sequence that affect gene expression
What does an epigenetic change result in?
→ A change in the phenotype but not genotype
What are the 4 epigenetic mechanisms?
→ DNA methylation
→ histone modification
→ X inactivation
→ Genomic imprinting
What is DNA methylation and what does it require?
→ The addition of a methyl group in the 5’ position of cytosine
→ DNA methyltransferase
→ S-adenosyl methionine to provide the methyl group
How is DNA methylation done?
→ DNA methyltransferase enzymes
What are the DNA methyltransferase enzymes?
→ DNMT1
→ DNMT3a
→ DNMT3b
In differentiated cells where does DNA methylation occur?
→ in CpG nucleotides (C next to a G)
When does passive demethylation occur?
→ During replication
What is passive demethylation done by?
→ TET enzymes - ten eleven translocation enzymes
→ TDG - thymidine DNA glycosylase
What is the function of TET enzymes?
→ They catalyse the movement from 5 methylcytosine to hydroxy methyl cytosine to formyl to carboxy
What is the effect of DNA methylation?
→ Turns transcription off by preventing the binding of transcription factors
What is a CpG island?
→ A region of DNA where CpG is more frequent than normal