Epigenetic processes—An overview

Abstract:: Epigenetic changes in COVID-19 host, a pandemic-causing infectious agent that globally incapacitated communities in varying complexities and capacities are discussed, proposing an analogy that epigenetic processes contribute to disease severity and elevate the risk for death from infection. Percentages of hospitalization, with and without intensive care, in the presence of diseases with increased ACE2 expression, were compared, based on the best available data. Further analysis compared two different age groups, 19-64 and ≥65 years of age. The COVID-19 disease is observed to be the most severe in the 65-and-higher-age group with preexisting chronic conditions. This observational study is a non-experimental empirical investigation of the outcomes of COVID-19 in different patient groups. Results are promising for conducting clinical trials with intervention groups. To ultimately succeed in disease prevention, researchers and clinicians must integrate epigenetic mechanisms to generate valid prescriptions for global well-being.

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Evolution, genetics, and systematics

10.1093/oso/9780198739906.003.0001 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Francisco J. Ayala ◽

Camilo J. Cela-Conde

Keyword(s):

Population Genetics ◽

Sexual Selection ◽

Fossil Record ◽

Life Sciences ◽

Altruistic Behavior ◽

Synthetic Theory ◽

Theory Of Evolution ◽

Evolution By Natural Selection ◽

Current Paradigm ◽

Epigenetic Processes

This chapter starts with the general principles of the theory of evolution by natural selection advanced by Darwin and the Mendelian theory of heredity. Next comes consideration of the “new-Darwinian synthesis” or “synthetic theory,” which integrates both precedents into what has become the current paradigm of the life sciences. Molecular evolution and population genetics follow, including epigenetic processes. Next, special models of selection are considered, such as sexual selection and the models that account for altruistic behavior. After the mechanisms of speciation, the main concepts of systematics are explored, which facilitate understanding of different traits. The chapter finally explores the fundamental concepts of taxonomy and the methods from phenetics to cladistics, that makes it possible to evaluate the diversity of organisms and the methods for dating the fossil record.

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CPT Parameters of Loess Subsoil in Lublin Area

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11136020 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (13) ◽

pp. 6020

Author(s):

Krzysztof Nepelski ◽

Agnieszka Lal

Keyword(s):

Water Content ◽

Building Structures ◽

Load Bearing ◽

Engineering Research ◽

Loess Soils ◽

Epigenetic Processes

Loess soils were created by the wind transporting particles with later or in parallel occurred protogenetic, syngenetic and epigenetic processes. As a result, various genetic processes affected loesses strength and deformability characteristics. The aim of the study is to estimate the main CPT parameters of loess subsoil in Lublin area according to divided facies. The subsoil in the area of the Nałęczowski Plateau, where Lublin is located, consists mainly of loess from aeolian and aeolian–diluvial facies, and in the deeper parts—from aeolian–alluvial facies. Most of the results obtained for the aeolian facies at the level of qc in the range from 4.5 to 8.0 MPa indicate that these soils are a good load-bearing substrate for building structures. Cone resistances mostly at the level of 1.5–4.0 MPa for the diluvial and alluvial facies confirm that these facies constitute less favorable foundation conditions. The reduced resistance results mainly from the increased water content in ground pores. It is especially the soils of the diluvial facies that provide unfavorable foundation conditions, as they occur near the surface. Genetic processes are a very important element that should be taken into account in engineering research.

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Expanding the Structural Diversity of DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

Pharmaceuticals ◽

10.3390/ph14010017 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 17

Author(s):

K. Eurídice Juárez-Mercado ◽

Fernando D. Prieto-Martínez ◽

Norberto Sánchez-Cruz ◽

Andrea Peña-Castillo ◽

Diego Prada-Gracia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Histone Deacetylases ◽

Dna Methyltransferase ◽

Structural Diversity ◽

Dna Methyltransferases ◽

Dna Methyltransferase Inhibitors ◽

Epigenetic Drug ◽

Ic50 Values ◽

Dietary Component ◽

Approved Drugs ◽

Epigenetic Processes

Inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are attractive compounds for epigenetic drug discovery. They are also chemical tools to understand the biochemistry of epigenetic processes. Herein, we report five distinct inhibitors of DNMT1 characterized in enzymatic inhibition assays that did not show activity with DNMT3B. It was concluded that the dietary component theaflavin is an inhibitor of DNMT1. Two additional novel inhibitors of DNMT1 are the approved drugs glyburide and panobinostat. The DNMT1 enzymatic inhibitory activity of panobinostat, a known pan inhibitor of histone deacetylases, agrees with experimental reports of its ability to reduce DNMT1 activity in liver cancer cell lines. Molecular docking of the active compounds with DNMT1, and re-scoring with the recently developed extended connectivity interaction features approach, led to an excellent agreement between the experimental IC50 values and docking scores.

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Metabolic Control of m6A RNA Modification

Metabolites ◽

10.3390/metabo11020080 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 80

Author(s):

Joohwan Kim ◽

Gina Lee

Keyword(s):

Cell Fate ◽

Metabolic Pathways ◽

Epigenetic Modification ◽

Genetic Material ◽

Rna Modification ◽

Cell Fate Decisions ◽

Disease States ◽

Evolutionarily Conserved ◽

Regulate Cell Growth ◽

Epigenetic Processes

Nutrients and metabolic pathways regulate cell growth and cell fate decisions via epigenetic modification of DNA and histones. Another key genetic material, RNA, also contains diverse chemical modifications. Among these, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent and evolutionarily conserved RNA modification. It functions in various aspects of developmental and disease states, by controlling RNA metabolism, such as stability and translation. Similar to other epigenetic processes, m6A modification is regulated by specific enzymes, including writers (methyltransferases), erasers (demethylases), and readers (m6A-binding proteins). As this is a reversible enzymatic process, metabolites can directly influence the flux of this reaction by serving as substrates and/or allosteric regulators. In this review, we will discuss recent understanding of the regulation of m6A RNA modification by metabolites, nutrients, and cellular metabolic pathways.

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Vitamin C—Sources, Physiological Role, Kinetics, Deficiency, Use, Toxicity, and Determination

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13020615 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 615

Author(s):

Martin Doseděl ◽

Eduard Jirkovský ◽

Kateřina Macáková ◽

Lenka Krčmová ◽

Lenka Javorská ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Vitamin C ◽

Iron Absorption ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Physiological Role ◽

Renal Stones ◽

Anti Oxidant ◽

High Doses ◽

Epigenetic Processes

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) has been known as an antioxidant for most people. However, its physiological role is much larger and encompasses very different processes ranging from facilitation of iron absorption through involvement in hormones and carnitine synthesis for important roles in epigenetic processes. Contrarily, high doses act as a pro-oxidant than an anti-oxidant. This may also be the reason why plasma levels are meticulously regulated on the level of absorption and excretion in the kidney. Interestingly, most cells contain vitamin C in millimolar concentrations, which is much higher than its plasma concentrations, and compared to other vitamins. The role of vitamin C is well demonstrated by miscellaneous symptoms of its absence—scurvy. The only clinically well-documented indication for vitamin C is scurvy. The effects of vitamin C administration on cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and infections are rather minor or even debatable in the general population. Vitamin C is relatively safe, but caution should be given to the administration of high doses, which can cause overt side effects in some susceptible patients (e.g., oxalate renal stones). Lastly, analytical methods for its determination with advantages and pitfalls are also discussed in this review.

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Epigenetic function in neurodevelopment and cognitive impairment

Neuroforum ◽

10.1515/nf-2021-0028 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Mira Jakovcevski ◽

Geraldine Zimmer-Bensch

Keyword(s):

Brain Development ◽

Neuronal Migration ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽

Noncoding Rnas ◽

Molecular Processes ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Genes Encoding ◽

Epigenetic Regulators ◽

Epigenetic Processes

Abstract Brain development comprises a fine-tuned ensemble of molecular processes that need to be orchestrated in a very coordinated way throughout time and space. A wide array of epigenetic mechanisms, ranging from DNA methylation and histone modifications to noncoding RNAs, have been identified for their major role in guiding developmental processes such as progenitor proliferation, neuronal migration, and differentiation through precise regulation of gene expression programs. The importance of epigenetic processes during development is reflected by the high prevalence of neurodevelopmental diseases which are caused by a lack or mutation of genes encoding for transcription factors and other epigenetic regulators. Most of these factors process central functions for proper brain development, and respective mutations lead to severe cognitive defects. A better understanding of epigenetic programs during development might open new routes toward better treatment options for related diseases.

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Epigenomic regulation of heart failure: integrating histone marks, long noncoding RNAs, and chromatin architecture

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.15797.1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 1713 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Timothy A. McKinsey ◽

Thomas M. Vondriska ◽

Yibin Wang

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Noncoding Rnas ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Sequencing Technologies ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Non Coding Rnas ◽

Epigenomic Regulation ◽

Generation Sequencing ◽

Epigenetic Processes

Epigenetic processes are known to have powerful roles in organ development across biology. It has recently been found that some of the chromatin modulatory machinery essential for proper development plays a previously unappreciated role in the pathogenesis of cardiac disease in adults. Investigations using genetic and pharmacologic gain- and loss-of-function approaches have interrogated the function of distinct epigenetic regulators, while the increased deployment of the suite of next-generation sequencing technologies have fundamentally altered our understanding of the genomic targets of these chromatin modifiers. Here, we review recent developments in basic and translational research that have provided tantalizing clues that may be used to unlock the therapeutic potential of the epigenome in heart failure. Additionally, we provide a hypothesis to explain how signal-induced crosstalk between histone tail modifications and long non-coding RNAs triggers chromatin architectural remodeling and culminates in cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.

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Transgenic Epigenetics: Using Transgenic Organisms to Examine Epigenetic Phenomena

Genetics Research International ◽

10.1155/2012/689819 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lori A. McEachern

Keyword(s):

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Model Organism ◽

Evolutionary Conservation ◽

Model Organisms ◽

Valuable Insight ◽

Epigenetic Control ◽

Transgenic Organisms ◽

Epigenetic Analysis ◽

Insight Into ◽

Epigenetic Processes

Non-model organisms are generally more difficult and/or time consuming to work with than model organisms. In addition, epigenetic analysis of model organisms is facilitated by well-established protocols, and commercially-available reagents and kits that may not be available for, or previously tested on, non-model organisms. Given the evolutionary conservation and widespread nature of many epigenetic mechanisms, a powerful method to analyze epigenetic phenomena from non-model organisms would be to use transgenic model organisms containing an epigenetic region of interest from the non-model. Interestingly, while transgenic Drosophila and mice have provided significant insight into the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary conservation of the epigenetic processes that target epigenetic control regions in other model organisms, this method has so far been under-exploited for non-model organism epigenetic analysis. This paper details several experiments that have examined the epigenetic processes of genomic imprinting and paramutation, by transferring an epigenetic control region from one model organism to another. These cross-species experiments demonstrate that valuable insight into both the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary conservation of epigenetic processes may be obtained via transgenic experiments, which can then be used to guide further investigations and experiments in the species of interest.

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