|
KMID : 0861120100140020001
|
|
Korean Journal of Oriental Preventive Medicine
2010 Volume.14 No. 2 p.1 ~ p.12
|
|
|
What is Epigenetics? -Focusing on Basic Concepts and Mechanisms-
|
|
Lee Sun-Dong
Park Sung-Kyun
Ko Seong-Gyu
Shin Heon-Tae
Kim Myoung-Dong
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
The individual differences in disease development and susceptibility have been researched primarily on the subject of genes, environment or the interaction between genes and the environment respectively. However, there have been limitations in explaining complex diseases, and the differences in health and diseases in monozygotic and dizygotic twins. Fortunately, thanks to active research on the relationship between genes and the environment, and epigenetics, there has been much progress in the understanding of body’s reactions and changes. Epigenetics is referred to as a study of gene expression through the interactions of DNA methylation, chromatin’s histone and the change of structure in tail, RNA editing without any change in DNA sequence. In this paper, we introduce the basic concepts and mechanisms of epigenetics. The result of the epigenetics is heritable ; can regulate gene expressions ; is reversible ; and has many variable forms depending on cell types. The influences of epigenetics occur throughout life, but it is mainly determined in utero during early pregnancies. Diseases occur or the risk rises if these influences continue after birth until adult life when problems occur in excess/lack of nutrition, environmental plasticity, or already inputted data. Therefore, there is a need for change and innovation, especially in interest and investment in health education for young women near pregnancies and correct treatment of epigenetic-related diseases.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
epigenetics, gene expression and modification, gene, environment, DNA methylation
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
|
|