Epigenetics: Effect of Environmental Factors on Human Genome
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: The physical and social behavior of an organism is influenced by its epigenetic modification, which involved histone modification, DNA methylation, non-coding RNA expression and chromatin remodeling. In contrast to genetic sequence, the epigenetic patterns differ from cell to cell and are dynamically being modified throughout the life span. Though prenatal period is the time for epigenetic modification and cell programming, there are growing evidence showing the influences of nutritional and environmental factors on gene expression. As epigenome is responsible for gene expression and phenotypic plasticity, its alterations have the same consequences as DNA mutations. Studies are going on to reveal out that the DNA is not the only destiny of life, instead by having a good environment and healthy lifestyle we are able to get and express better genes and can transfer them to our next generations. In this review the basic mechanism of epigenetic and the effects of environmental factors including dietary factors and early maternal care on human behavior and health status are discussed and in this regard we will examine the possibility of epigenetic mechanisms involved in chronic disease, and also, we will be hopeful to develop new medicines acting specifically on epigenome with better results. Keywords: Epigenetic, Histone modification , DNA methylation , Cell programming, Epigenome
Authors: Najia Sherzay, Ekta Chitakar
Institution: Lovely Professional University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2270418956