DNA Methylation

Cucu, Natalia

doi:10.1002/9780470959824.ch2

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 230 publications

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“…DNA methylation is a biologic process that consists of the covalent addition of methyl groups to DNA (reviewed in Cucu 2011). In eukaryotes, DNA methylation occurs mainly at the 5 position of the cytosine ring (5-methylcytosine) that is followed by a guanine nucleotide (CpG sites), although methyl groups can also be added to other nucleotides (Cucu 2011).…”

Section: Dna Methylationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In eukaryotes, DNA methylation occurs mainly at the 5 position of the cytosine ring (5-methylcytosine) that is followed by a guanine nucleotide (CpG sites), although methyl groups can also be added to other nucleotides (Cucu 2011). First hypothesized in 1925 (Johnson and Coghill 1925), then confi rmed beginning in 1948 (Hotchkiss 1948;Wyatt 1950), cytosine methylation became the most widely studied epigenetic modifi cation and the fi rst hallmark of modern epigenetics (Comings 1972).…”

Section: Dna Methylationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nutritional Epigenetics

Niculescu¹

2012

ILAR Journal

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Within the last two decades, significant progress has been made in understanding the importance of epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of gene expression as a consequence of gene-environment interactions. Nutrition, among many other environmental factors, is a key player that can induce epigenetic changes not only in the directly exposed organisms but also in subsequent generations through the transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic traits. This article aims to provide insights into the usefulness of the mouse model for epigenetic studies involving nutrition as well as the inherent limitations when compared with epigenetic phenomena in humans. Mice are one of the most versatile models for nutrition and epigenetic studies because of several features, such as short life-span, relative low cost for generating samples, the existence of well-characterized genetically engineered lines, the detailed sequencing of genomes, and the relative similarity of their metabolic processes to human metabolism. However, several limitations have to be acknowledged, such as the different location of genes on the chromosomes (and hence possibly different consequences of some epigenetic alterations), differences in the epigenetic patterns established during late embryogenesis, and possible epigenetic differences associated with cellular senescence caused by the different structure of telomeres when compared with humans. All these aspects have to be carefully analyzed when deciding whether a mouse model should be considered for a study in nutrition and epigenetics. Consequently, the results obtained from mouse studies should be carefully interpreted regarding their relevance to humans.

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Section: Dna Methylationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Dna Methylationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional Epigenetics

Niculescu¹

2012

ILAR Journal

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Vitamin A and the epigenome

Dadon

Reifen

2015

Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition

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The epigenetic phenomena refer to heritable changes in gene expression other than those in the DNA sequence, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications. Major research progress in the last few years has provided further proof that environmental factors, including diet and nutrition, can influence physiologic and pathologic processes through epigenetic alterations, which in turn influence gene expression. This influence is termed nutritional epigenetics, and one prominent example is the regulation of gene transcription by vitamin A through interaction to its nuclear receptor. Vitamin A is critical throughout life. Together with its derivatives, it regulates diverse processes including reproduction, embryogenesis, vision, growth, cellular differentiation and proliferation, maintenance of epithelial cellular integrity and immune function. Here we review the epigenetic role of vitamin A in cancer, stem cells differentiation, proliferation, and immunity. The data presented here show that retinoic acid is a potent agent capable of inducing alterations in epigenetic modifications that produce various effects on the phenotype. Medical benefits of vitamin A as an epigenetic modulator, especially with respect to its chronic use as nutritional supplement, should rely on our further understanding of its epigenetic effects during health and disease, as well as through different generations.

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Conceptual Shifts Needed to Understand the Dynamic Interactions of Genes, Environment, Epigenetics, Social Processes, and Behavioral Choices

2013

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Social and behavioral research in public health is often intimately tied to profound, but frequently neglected, biological influences from underlying genetic, environmental, and epigenetic events. The dynamic interplay between the life, social, and behavioral sciences often remains underappreciated and underutilized in addressing complex diseases and disorders and in developing effective remediation strategies. Using a case-study format, we present examples as to how the inclusion of genetic, environmental, and epigenetic data can augment social and behavioral health research by expanding the parameters of such studies, adding specificity to phenotypic assessments, and providing additional internal control in comparative studies. We highlight the important roles of gene-environment interactions and epigenetics as sources of phenotypic change and as a bridge between the life and social and behavioral sciences in the development of robust interdisciplinary analyses.

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DNA Methylation

Cited by 3 publications

References 230 publications

Nutritional Epigenetics

Nutritional Epigenetics

Vitamin A and the epigenome

Conceptual Shifts Needed to Understand the Dynamic Interactions of Genes, Environment, Epigenetics, Social Processes, and Behavioral Choices

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