EPIGENETICS is a fascinating field of study that explores how our behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way our genes work. Unlike genetic changes, which alter the DNA sequence itself, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not modify the DNA sequence. However, they can significantly impact how our bodies interpret and read DNA instructions.

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There are several types of epigenetic changes:

 

GENE EXPRESSION

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• Epigenetic changes influence gene expression, which refers to how often or when proteins are created from the instructions within our genes. While genetic changes can alter which protein is made, epigenetic changes affect gene expression to turn genes "on" and "off."

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​MECHANISMS OF EPIGENETICS

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• DNA Methylation: This process involves adding a chemical group to specific places on the DNA, blocking proteins that attach to DNA, and reading the gene. Methylation typically turns genes "off," while demethylation turns them "on."

• Histone Modification: DNA wraps around proteins called histones. When histones are tightly packed together, proteins that read the gene cannot access the DNA easily, turning the gene "off." Loosely packed histones allow more DNA exposure, turning the gene "on." Chemical groups can be added or removed from histones to control gene expression.

• Non-coding RNA: Non-coding RNA helps regulate gene expression by attaching to coding RNA (used for making proteins) and breaking it down. Non-coding RNA may also recruit proteins to modify histones and influence gene activity.

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DEVELOPMENT AND AGING

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• Epigenetic changes begin before birth and continue throughout life.

• During development, epigenetics helps determine cell function. For example, muscle cells and nerve cells have the same DNA but work differently due to epigenetic regulation.

• As we age, our epigenetics change as part of normal development and in response to behaviors and environmental factors.

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HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

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• Epigenetics plays a role in health conditions such as cancer.

• Environmental factors (e.g., diet, exercise) can result in epigenetic changes.

• These changes may last through cell divisions or even multiple generations without altering the underlying DNA sequence.

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Your epigenetics change as you age, both as part of normal development and aging and in response to your behaviors and environment. Epigenetics helps determine which function a cell will have, for example, whether it will become a heart cell, nerve cell, or skin cell.