The Epigenetics of Exercise: Acvr1c Improves Learning and MemoryJuly 24, 2024Exercise can boost your mood and improve heart and bone health. Now, a talented team uncovers the epigenetic mechanisms behind another good reason to hit the gym. Working out can help with learning and long-term memory via Acvr1c, a member of the TGF-beta family. Gym rats—er, exercising mice—can learn under “subthreshold training” conditions after a workout, […]
PaleoHi-C Makes a “Mammoth” Genome Architecture DiscoveryJuly 22, 2024Certain scientific findings may be considered colossal or even epic in scale; however, few compare to a “mammoth” new study describing the three-dimensional genome architecture of preserved cells from a 52,000-year-old animal skin sample thanks to a primeval-sounding yet cutting-edge technique known as PaleoHi-C! Epigenetics research goes pre-historic! A veritable “stampede” of researchers led by […]
Age-related Chromatin Remodeling: Loss of Epigenetic Info or the Hijacking of Maturation?July 22, 2024In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except Spain winning at football and age-related chromatin remodeling! While this remodeling was thought to drive aging via the loss of epigenetic information, new research provides evidence for the “hijacking” of developmental maturation via activator protein 1 (AP-1)-activity as a major player. Surefire researchers “captained” […]
A CHARMing Epigenetic Editor Enchants Endogenous DNA Methylation Machinery to Pause Prion DiseaseJuly 8, 2024While George Clooney or Cate Blanchett exude a degree of charm, a captivating new epigenetic advance may outdo them both! A new study now describes a compact epigenetic editor known as “CHARM” that engages the cell’s own DNA methylation machinery to stop a fatal neurodegenerative disease in its tracks. A charismatic crew guided by Sonia […]
cfDNA Methylation Analysis Captures the Double Trouble of Inflammaging!July 1, 2024Analyzing cell-free (cf)DNA methylation from liquid biopsies represents a non-invasive approach to profile various diseases, but what if it could help us understand the devious duo of inflammaging – aging and inflammation? A talented team has dealt with this “double trouble” by applying enzymatic methyl-seq (EM-seq) to evaluate cfDNA methylation patterns. Researchers headed by Jian-Ping […]
Epigenome Editing Modules Team Up to Cut Through Gene Regulatory ChaosJune 24, 2024Sometimes an indirect approach can give a direct answer. For example, two recent papers use dCas9 based epigenome editing to cut through gene regulatory mechanisms. No cutting required. These epigenomic editing toolkits use single-cell readouts to provide a clearer story of how our favorite chromatin modifications and enhancers do their jobs. Mixing and Matching Modifications […]
DNA Methylation Differences in Imprinting Control Regions Contribute to Ethnic Disparities in Alzheimer’s Disease RiskMay 28, 2024Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) patients have a two-fold higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients for unknown reasons; now, a fascinating epigenetics study reveals the involvement of DNA methylation at imprinting control regions (ICRs). Researchers headed by Randy L. Jirtle and Cathrine Hoyo (North Carolina State University) explored ethnic variation in disease […]
G4-DNA: How an Unforgettable DNA Structure Regulates Gene Expression and MemoryMay 28, 2024The Eiffel Tower may live long in the memory, and La Sagrada Familia will be remembered for eons (when they finish it!), but can any structure truly rival DNA? Now, a new study describes how one of DNA’s many unforgettablestructural forms – G-quadruplex DNA (G4-DNA) – helps to regulate the gene expression profiles controlling fear […]
Epigenetics Alone Can Drive Cancer—No Mutations NeededMay 13, 2024Epigenetics has moved into the driver’s seat. In a first-of-its-kind study, a talented team show that knocking down polycomb group proteins in Drosophila causes tumors to form, and bringing the proteins back doesn’t fix it. The finding demonstrates that transient epigenetic changes can irreversibly drive cancer—without genetic mutations. Although we’ve suspected that epigenetic mechanisms could take […]
The Force is Strong with Histone H1.0: How Extracellular Stress Regulates Cell Mechanics through Chromatin StructureMay 6, 2024Scientists have longed to use “The Force” – provided by intracellular entities known as midichlorians – to help around the lab; now, an epigenetic alliance reports that an intracellular fibroblast component – Histone H1.0 – uses The Force and orchestrates cell mechanics when facing Sith-like evils such as physical/chemical stressors. The force is strong with […]