The epigenome Flashcards
1
Q
Genome
A
- The complete set of genetic material in a cell
- The DNA sequence that is present in a single full set of chromosomes
• Histone proteins and DNA form the first level of packing – the nucleosome
2
Q
Packing solution
A
Histones
Nucleosomes
Fibres and higher structures
Chromosomes are the most densely packed form of genomic DNA
3
Q
Epigenome
A
- The sum of all the (heritable) changes in the genome that do not occur in the primary DNA sequence and that affect gene expression
- An epigenetic change results in “A change in phenotype but not in genotype”
- The epigenome is central to the regulation of gene expression
4
Q
Epigenetic mechanism
A
- DNA Methylation
- Histone modification
- X-inactivation
- Genomic Imprinting
5
Q
DNA methylation
A
- DNA methylation in humans is the addition of a methyl group in the 5’ position of a Cytosine
- This is catalysed by DNA methyltransferase enzymes
- It requires S-Adenosyl Methionine to provide the methyl group
- In differentiated cells it occurs in CpG dinucleotides
6
Q
DNA methylation enzymes
A
DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b
7
Q
TET
A
Ten-Eleven translocation enzyme
8
Q
TDG
A
Thymine DNA glycosylase
9
Q
BER
A
Base excision repair
10
Q
2-OG
A
2-oxoglutarate
11
Q
DNA methylation and gene expression
A
- In general, DNA Methylation turns transcription off by preventing the binding of transcription factors
- DNA methylation patterns change during development and are an important mechanism for controlling gene expression
12
Q
Histone modifications
A
- This is the addition of chemical groups to the proteins that make up the nucleosome
- There are a large number of known histone modifications (>100) and many are of unknown function
- Large range of enzymes catalyse modification
13
Q
Common histone modifications
A
- Methylation
- Acetylation
- Phosphorylation
- Ubiquitination
14
Q
H3K4Me3
A
Histone 3, the Lysine (K) at position 4 is tri-methylated
15
Q
HAT1
A
Histone Acetyltransferase