Epigenetics, Behaviour, and Health

Epigenetics, Behaviour, and Health

: The long-term effects of behaviour and environmental exposures, particularly during childhood, on health outcomes are well documented. Particularly thought provoking is the notion that exposures to different social environments have a long-lasting impact on human physical health. However, the mechanisms mediating the effects of the environment are still unclear. In the last decade, the main f...

Epigenetics, brain evolution and behaviour.

Molecular modifications to the structure of histone proteins and DNA (chromatin) play a significant role in regulating the transcription of genes without altering their nucleotide sequence. Certain epigenetic modifications to DNA are heritable in the form of genomic imprinting, whereby subsets of genes are silenced according to parent-of-origin. This form of gene regulation is primarily under m...

Epigenetics and Human Health

HIGHLIGHTED TOPIC Epigenetics in Health and Disease Epigenetics and cancer

Kanwal R, Gupta S. Epigenetics and cancer. J Appl Physiol 109: 598–605, 2010. First published March 4, 2010; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00066.2010.— Epigenetic modifications are central to many human diseases, including cancer. Traditionally, cancer has been viewed as a genetic disease, and it is now becoming apparent that the onset of cancer is preceded by epigenetic abnormalities. Investigators...

Epigenetics in Health and Disease