EPIGENETICS AND ROLE OF EASTERN PANACEA.

EPIGENETICS IS A NEW FIELD OF SCIENCE DEALING WITH EXPRESSION OR                     SILENCING OF GENETIC CODE LEADING TO DEVELOPMENT OR CURE OF THE DISEASE.

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT FIELD, HAVING THE POTENTIAL OF PROVIDING MISSING LINKS IN THE UNDERSTANDING AND CURE OF DEADLY DISEASES LIKE CANCER AND

OTHER  DISEASES.

KINDLY READ BELOW THE INTRODUCTION FROM '' A GUIDE TO EPIGENETICS--Abcam, PDF'' WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO UNDERLINED SENTENCES. THESE WILL BE ELABORATED IN COMING POSTS.

.Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression that occur without alteration in DNA sequence.

These changes may be induced spontaneously, induced by environmental factors or as a consequence of

specific mutations.

There are two primary and interconnected epigenetic mechanisms: DNA methylation and covalent

modification of histones. In addition, it has become apparent in the last years that non-coding RNA is also

intimately involved in this process.

The different mechanisms that control epigenetic changes do not stand alone, and there is a clear

interconnection and interdependency between:

• DNA methylation

• Histone modification and incorporation of histone variants

• Non-coding RNA-mediated epigenetic regulation

These mechanisms, together with action of transcription factors and ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling,

will establish unique epigenetic states resulting in alterations of gene expression that for example can

determine cellular diversity with virtually no differences in DNA sequences. 

Epigenetic modifications are central to many cellular processes and essential to many organism functions,

such as imprinting, X chromosome inactivation, cellular reprogramming and senescence. But if these

modifications occur improperly, they can lead to major adverse health effects such as cancer or congenital

diseases. Because of their role in cancer development, epigenetic modifications offer promise as potential

novel biomarkers for early cancer detection and prognosis. Furthermore, the possibility of reversing

epigenetic modifications represents a potential target of novel therapeutic strategies and medication design.