Epigenetics in Toxicology Sep. 17 2024
Points
- Epigenetic processes regulate cell differentiation and function by defining long-term accessibility and thus inducibility of genes
- Main epigenetic mechanisms are DNA methylation, histone modifications/variations, chromatin structure, and non-coding RNAs
- Epigenetic patterns are sensitive to environmental factors
- Epigenetic changes would be useful early markers for adverse outcomes induced by exposure once clear links between exposure, epigenetic changes, and adverse outcomes are established.
- Epigenetic changes induced by the environment can be tranferred to next, unexposed generations, a phenomenon called transgenerational epigenetic inheritance