PRC2 Complex Genetic Variants Leave a DNA Methylation Signature in Overgrowth SyndromeApril 13, 2020While epigenetic modifications can leave their signatures on our genome, our genome can also leave its signature on our epigenomes. Genetic variants in epigenetic regulatory genes often cause disorders characterized by abnormal growth and intellectual disability. The Polycomb repressive complex-2 (PRC2) complex is a core regulator of chromatin structure through methylation of H3K27. EZH2, EED, […]
Micro-C and Single-Cell Hi-C Provide Macro Chromosome Conformation InsightsApril 11, 2020Genome-wide chromosome conformation capture analyses, such as Hi-C, have provided us with snapshots of the large-scale spatial architecture of mammalian genomes, describing chromatin compartments, topologically associating domains (TADs), and CTCF– and cohesin-mediated chromatin loops in many cell types. However, the resolution of Hi-C-based protocols, limited by the size and uniformity of chromatin fragmentation, represents a […]
Tet3 Acts Against Anxiety in Forebrain NeuronsMarch 27, 2020While there are a lot of reasons to anxious these days, thankfully our neurons are using epigenetics to respond and adapt to the barrage of new information in our environment. In fact, DNA cytosine hydroxymethylation (5hmC) might be necessary to keep cognition in check, and a new research suggests that one of the enzymes that […]
Phase Separation – The Next Generation for Epigenetic Modifications?March 27, 2020It may sound like a term straight out of a science fiction program such as Star Trek, but liquid-liquid “phase separation” is actually one of the hot new topics in epigenetics. Phase separation of proteins with certain characteristics leads to the formation of biomolecular liquid “droplets” that concentrate the levels of some proteins/factors while excluding […]
Compound Effects on DNA Methylation: Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Early Life StressMarch 18, 2020While some compound effects, like interest, are desired, there are others we should avoid. While we know that stress and alcohol have adverse effects on pregnancy that can be reflected epigenetically, it turns out that the combination of the two can have distinct detrimental effects. Previously, the lab of Shiva Singh at Western University (Ontario, […]