What is epigenetics?
Epigenetic is the term used for the study of changes in the gene expression. When the information stored in our DNA is converted into instructions for making proteins or other molecules, it is called gene expression. RNA is the main product of gene expression which carries information from the DNA for protein synthesis. Epigenetics is the study of potentially heritable changes in gene expression which does not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence.
‘Epigenetics’, literally means ‘outside conventional genetics’, is now used to describe the study of changes/modifications in gene expression that arise during development and cell proliferation. Cell proliferation being the process that results in an increase in the number of cells and is defined by the balance between cell divisions and cell loss through cell death or differentiation. Cell proliferation is increased in tumours. The processes of epigenetics are essential for the development and differentiation of cells and highly influenced by environmental factors. It is an essential guard mechanism against viral genomes.
In short, tumour suppressor genes that put the brake on abnormal cell growth can become ineffective without being mutated — this is called epigenetics.
This is a part one series of course assisgments which I have taken titled “CANCER IN THE 21ST CENTURY by UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW” at FutureLearn.com
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