Epigenetics: Tools and technologies

  • William P. Janzen
  • , Tim J. Wigle
  • , Jian Jin
  • , Stephen V. Frye

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Epigenetics refers to heritable changes that control how the genome is accessed in different cell-types and during development and differentiation. Even though each cell contains essentially the same genetic code, epigenetic mechanisms permit specialization of function between cells. The state of chromatin, the complex of histone proteins, RNA and DNA that efficiently package the genome, is largely regulated by specific modifications to histone proteins and DNA, and the recognition of these marks by other proteins and protein complexes. The enzymes that produce these modifications (the 'writers'), the proteins that recognize them (the 'readers'), and the enzymes that remove them (the 'erasers') are crucial targets for manipulation to further understand the histone code and its role in biology and human disease.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e59-e65
JournalDrug Discovery Today: Technologies
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

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