SMARCA2 Variants Leave a Domain-Specific DNA Methylation Signature in Neurodevelopmental DisordersJuly 16, 2019Our signatures are unique marks that let people know where we’ve been. It turns out that epigenetic modifiers leave their own signatures on the genome. There are between 300-400 proteins that regulate the epigenome, including readers, writers, & erasers of histone marks as well as chromatin remodelers. Genetic variants in the epigenes that encode these […]
Evasive Maneuvers! LINE-1 at the Helm Outwits Epigenetic RepressionJuly 16, 2019While the above title may conjure up images of Star Wars-esque galactic battles, the epic clash between the LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposon and repressive forces takes place on the scale of microns instead. This war has been waging in the human genome for thousands of years: L1 attempts to replicate and integrate into the genome, while […]
Shifting Sex: Social Stress Throws Epigenetics in Reverse for Female Bluehead WrassesJuly 15, 2019Have you ever run into an unexpected detour on your commute? Whether it be an ice patch, flood, or even a mudslide, mother nature can reroute even the best laid plans, but for some species, changes in the environment have much higher stakes than being late for work or that much needed vacation. In fact, […]
Mitochondrial Memes: How the Powerhouse of the Cell also Drives Epigenomic AlterationsJuly 12, 2019The appreciation of the mitochondrion as “the powerhouse of the cell” has become as culturally pervasive as some of our favorite memes; however, a powerful new study now shows that signals deriving from this double-membrane-bound ATP-generating organelle represent a major driving force behind alterations to the epigenome. A talented team of researchers from the lab […]
Epigenetic Heirlooms: The C. elegans Behavioral Legacy is Inherited Through Small RNAsJuly 2, 2019Some families have heirlooms that get passed down from generation to generation but if you’re a nematode, you might inherit more than just your Grandpa’s pocket watch! The phenomenon of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI) was first discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans, where environmental stressors can alter physiological responses in offspring up to 20 generations later! Since […]
Mutant DNMT3A Underperforms in Overgrowth SyndromeJune 25, 2019If you’re underperforming at work, you might end up with a rejected paper, failed experiments, or an angry boss. However, this isn’t so bad when compared to how mutated DNMT3A underperforms in its role as a DNA methyltransferase, since that can result in a pathogenic overgrowth known as Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome (TBRS). Despite DNMT3A’s known role […]
HiChIRP-y New Protocol Reveals the Scaffolding Function of lncRNAsJune 24, 2019Freshly brewed coffee, a lightly toasted bagel, the sweetness of orange juice; what makes you feel “chirpy” first thing in the morning? The good people from the labs of William J. Greenleaf and Howard Y. Chang (Stanford University, CA, USA) have been waking up, working hard, and feeling good, all thanks to the development of […]
Whole Genome Bisulfite Sequencing of Down Syndrome Brain Captures the Big PictureJune 18, 2019Sometimes in life, we get so focused on the details that we can miss the big picture. One of the best examples of this periscope perspective is the case of Down syndrome. Although it is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21, Down syndrome patients display genome-wide alterations to their transcriptomic and epigenomic profiles; however, the […]
Enhancer Hypomethylation in Alzheimer’s Disease Brain Paves the Way for Cell DeathJune 15, 2019When it comes to understanding the epigenetics of aging, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) has enhanced our knowledge in countless ways. This neurodegenerative disease has taught us to embrace healthy aging, and some surprising players have emerged from the examination of DNA methylation. Studies have uncovered a role for enhancers in AD; however, investigations into the consequences of DNA methylation at these […]
SETing up SETD2 as a Key Player in Oocyte DevelopmentJune 5, 2019While we’ve been fascinated by how epigenetic alterations during development SET the stage for adult life, in order to fully understand this relationship, we also have to examine how the stage for the development is SET by our epigenome. The epigenome of the oocyte is reprogrammed during early embryonic development; however, some marks remain at […]