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Introduction to Epigenetics

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Epigenetics

Abstract

Epigenetic processes control central genomic functions such as the utilization of genetic information over the course of life. Epigenetic processes are controlled by adding and removing epigenetic modifications on the genes. Epigenetic modifications are added at different molecular levels and form a complex combination of positively and negatively regulating molecular signals. Most of these signals are established directly on the DNA bases or on the proteins that package the DNA, called histones. Modern sequencing methods make it possible to locate these various types of epigenetic modification with precision and to associate their functional significance with a particular gene-specific control. Epigenetic modifications are cell-specific, and their function must therefore be viewed and evaluated in a different way to genetic changes, which are the same in all cells. In epigenetic studies, therefore—unlike genetic analysis—the cell type or (in tissues) the cell composition must always be included in the picture. Cell-type-specific epigenetic patterns can be affected by factors that are endogenous to the organism (ageing, hormonal control) and by those that are exogenous (environment, e.g., metabolism, stress), and they lead to persistent changes in cell programming. As a general principle, cell-type-specific epigenetic differences are considerably more stable and more pronounced than changes arising due to exogenous factors. Epigenetic modifications are stably passed on through cell divisions. However, when cell programming changes, they are deleted or their composition is altered (reprogrammed). In human beings, large-scale reprogramming (deletion) of old ‘inherited’ epigenetic modifications takes place both in gametes and in the embryo shortly after fertilization. For this reason, transmission of ‘acquired’ epigenetic modifications across generations is possible only to a very limited extent in humans.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. FR 8.3 Biowissenschaften, Genetik/Epigenetik, Naturwissenschaftlich-Technische Fakultät III, Universität des Saarlandes, Postfach 151150, 66041, Saarbrücken, Germany

    Jörn Walter

  2. Interdisziplinäre Arbeitsgruppe Gentechnologiebericht, Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Jägerstr. 22/23, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    Anja Hümpel

Authors
  1. Jörn Walter
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  2. Anja Hümpel
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Correspondence to Jörn Walter .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Inst.Technikfolgenab. u. Systemanalyse, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie Inst.Technikfolgenab. u. Systemanalyse, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

    Reinhard Heil

  2. Karlsruher Institut für Technologie , Karlsruhe, Germany

    Stefanie B. Seitz

  3. Inst.Technikfolgenab. u. Systemanalyse, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie , Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

    Harald König

  4. Müden, Germany

    Jürgen Robienski

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Walter, J., Hümpel, A. (2017). Introduction to Epigenetics. In: Heil, R., Seitz, S., König, H., Robienski, J. (eds) Epigenetics. Technikzukünfte, Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft / Futures of Technology, Science and Society. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-14460-9_2

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