Epigenetic Regulation by Polycomb Complexes from Drosophila to Human and Its Relation to Communicable Disease Pathogenesis

Abstract

Although all cells in the human body are made of the same DNA, these cells undergo differentiation and behave differently during development, through integration of external and internal stimuli via ‘specific mechanisms.’ Epigenetics is one such mechanism that comprises DNA/RNA, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs that regulate transcription without changing the genetic code. The discovery of the first Polycomb mutant phenotype in Drosophila started the study of epigenetics more than 80 years ago. Since then, a considerable number of Polycomb Group (PcG) genes in Drosophila have been discovered to be preserved in mammals, including humans. PcG proteins exert their influence through gene repression by acting in complexes, modifying histones, and compacting the chromatin within the nucleus. In this article, we discuss how our knowledge of the PcG repression mechanism in Drosophila translates to human communicable disease research.

Role of Drosophila in Human Disease Research 3.0

“…They ended by suggesting ways in which the use of Drosophila models could contribute to deepening the understanding of disorders associated with mutations in this group of proteins. Scholl and De [ 11 ] focused on another important group, polycomb group proteins (PcG). They discussed the conservation of PcG proteins between Drosophila and mammals.…”