Non-linear Alterations in DNA Methylation Provides Evidence of Aging in Stages!May 6, 2024Certain concepts – the speed of light, the electron’s charge, or the need to change cell media at the weekend – represent common constants in life. Many add the constant decay associated with the aging process to this list; however, analysis of DNA methylation in the mouse intestine now reveals that the aging process may […]
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 […]
Pregnancy Epigenetically Ages Mothers – But Breastfeeding May Reverse ItApril 22, 2024Our mothers might be onto something when they jokingly blame us for their gray hair and wrinkles. In two recent studies, DNA methylation-based epigenetic clocks show that pregnancy, with its far-ranging emotional and physical changes, increases the biological ages of mothers. On the bright side, the effects were reversible in those who breastfed, according to […]
This is Your Epigenetic Wake Up Call! Don’t Sleep on NAP-seq When Searching for ncRNAsApril 21, 2024Has searching for ncRNAs left you needing forty winks? Maybe take a short rest and dream-a-little-dream, but don’t sleep on a brand new technique known as napRNA sequencing or NAP-seq, which represents a wake-up call to the epigenetics field by providing the ability to describe novel classes of human regulatory non-coding or ncRNAs! Wakey-wakey! RNA […]
A Selfish, Poisonous Element Could Set the Evolutionary Stage for Genomic ImprintingApril 15, 2024A selfish toddler might throw a tantrum to get their way, but in worms, a “selfish” piece of DNA known as a toxin-antidote (TA) element uses something more sinister—poison. Researchers have just discovered a parent-of-origin effect with this nematode element that could be an evolutionary precursor of genomic imprinting. Led by Alejandro Burga (Institute of Molecular […]
EvoETR Epigenome Editor Helps Maintain Cholesterol Levels by Silencing Pcsk9March 25, 2024Ever wanted to cut a bad thing out of your life? Well, perhaps the secret to success doesn’t involve any cutting (of your DNA). In some people, a mutant PCSK9 gene interferes with the liver’s job to get rid of LDL, aka “bad” cholesterol. Now, researchers have developed an all-in-one “evolved engineered transcriptional repressor” (EvoETR) […]
No Epigenetic Modification is an Island: How Reader Proteins Functionally Interpret Complex Chromatin StatesMarch 25, 2024Like no man is an island and instead relies on those surrounding them, single epigenetic modifications generally do not function in solitary. Now, an absorbing new study from a synergistic epigenomics squad reports how epigenetic reader proteins functionally interpret chromatin states made up of complex combinations of disparate epigenetic modifications. A highly collaborative team guided […]
Gut Microbiota Uses the Histone Code to Make Intestinal Cells Speak Their LanguageMarch 19, 2024A growling stomach represents a clear sign that you must eat something tasty; however, sometimes, your digestive system is where the message needs to go! An exciting epigenetics study reveals that our gut microbiota employs a histone code via histone acylations to influence gene expression in intestinal cells, forcing these cells to speak their language! […]
“ATAC-see” Visualizes A World of Novel Chromatin RegulatorsMarch 11, 2024Many have seen a world of opportunities open with the release of artificial intelligence-based tools to the public; now, an all-seeing team has combined CRISPR technology with “transposase-accessible chromatin with visualization,” aka ATAC-see, to open a whole epigenome of possibilities by identifying novel chromatin regulators! The team, headed by the “visionary” Yusuke Miyanari (Kanazawa University), […]
reChIP Doubles Down on Low-input Profiling of Bivalent ChromatinMarch 5, 2024Sometimes, when you’re dealt the right hand, doubling down is a sound strategy. Although it can be a risky move in blackjack, a new ChIP-seq method makes it a sure thing when you’re dealing with bivalent chromatin. The strategy, which includes important preparation steps and two rounds of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), provides sensitive genome-wide profiles […]