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Epigenetics Changes in gene function that are heritable but do not change the DNA sequence. What does this mean?. Gene Expression Identical twins have identical genes…but their epigenes are different and accumulate more differences as they age. Gene Expression Benefits of Epigentic Therapy
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Epigenetics Changes in gene function that are heritable but do not change the DNA sequence. What does this mean?
Gene Expression Identical twins have identical genes…but their epigenes are different and accumulate more differences as they age
Gene Expression • Benefits of Epigentic Therapy • May be able to reactivate genes • Chances for side effects are low • Success rate is high • Drawbacks of Epigenetic Therapy • easy to change the epigenome of the individual adversely (and that of future children)
Gene Expression • Methyl groups • tell cells their function (skin, heart) • can turn a gene on or off • can bind to histones and tighten/loosen the DNA • a methyl “tag” is on gene • eating methyl causes methylation • methylated genes can be passed to offspring (but they can be changed back)
DNA Methylation and Cancer •• Hypomethylation •• isdecreased genome methylation •• occurs early in carcinogenesis (aka: cancer) •• Hypermethylation •• Tumor Suppressor genes are hypermethylated in human cancer