The Epigenetics Revolution (49 page)
Read The Epigenetics Revolution Online
Authors: Nessa Carey
Tags: #Science/Life Sciences/Genetics and Genomics
Autosomes
The chromosomes which are not sex chromosomes. There are 22 pairs of autosomes in humans.
The chromosomes which are not sex chromosomes. There are 22 pairs of autosomes in humans.
Blastocyst
Very early mammalian embryo, consisting of about 100 cells. The blastocyst comprises a hollow ball of cells that will give rise to the placenta, surrounding a smaller, denser ball of cells that will give rise to the body of the embryo .
Very early mammalian embryo, consisting of about 100 cells. The blastocyst comprises a hollow ball of cells that will give rise to the placenta, surrounding a smaller, denser ball of cells that will give rise to the body of the embryo .
Chromatin
DNA in combination with its associated proteins, especially histone proteins.
DNA in combination with its associated proteins, especially histone proteins.
Concordance
The degree to which two genetically identical individuals are identical phenotypically.
The degree to which two genetically identical individuals are identical phenotypically.
CpG
A cytosine nucleotide followed by a guanine nucleotide in DNA. CpG motifs can undergo methylation on the C.
A cytosine nucleotide followed by a guanine nucleotide in DNA. CpG motifs can undergo methylation on the C.
Discordance
The degree to which two genetically identical individuals are non-identical phenotypically.
The degree to which two genetically identical individuals are non-identical phenotypically.
DNA replication
Copying DNA to create new DNA molecules which are identical to the original.
Copying DNA to create new DNA molecules which are identical to the original.
DNMT
DNA methyltransferase. An enzyme that can add methyl groups to cytosine bases in DNA.
DNA methyltransferase. An enzyme that can add methyl groups to cytosine bases in DNA.
Epigenome
All the epigenetic modifications on the DNA genome and its associated histone proteins.
All the epigenetic modifications on the DNA genome and its associated histone proteins.
ES Cells
Embryonic stem cells. Pluripotent cells experimentally derived from the Inner Cell Mass.
Embryonic stem cells. Pluripotent cells experimentally derived from the Inner Cell Mass.
Exon
Region of a gene that codes for a section that is present in the final version of the mRNA copied from that gene. Most, but not all, exons encode amino acids in the final protein produced from a gene.
Region of a gene that codes for a section that is present in the final version of the mRNA copied from that gene. Most, but not all, exons encode amino acids in the final protein produced from a gene.
Gamete
An egg or a sperm.
An egg or a sperm.
Genome
All the DNA in the nucleus of a cell.
All the DNA in the nucleus of a cell.
Germline
The cells that pass on genetic information from parent to child. These are the eggs and the sperm (and their precursors).
The cells that pass on genetic information from parent to child. These are the eggs and the sperm (and their precursors).
HDAC
Histone deacetylase. An enzyme that can remove acetyl groups from histone proteins.
Histone deacetylase. An enzyme that can remove acetyl groups from histone proteins.
Histones
Globular proteins that are closely associated with DNA, and which can be epigenetically modified.
Globular proteins that are closely associated with DNA, and which can be epigenetically modified.
Imprinting
Phenomenon in which expression of certain genes depends on whether they were inherited from the mother or the father.
Phenomenon in which expression of certain genes depends on whether they were inherited from the mother or the father.
Inner Cell Mass (ICM)
The pluripotent cells in the inside of the early blastocyst that will give rise to all the cells of the body.
The pluripotent cells in the inside of the early blastocyst that will give rise to all the cells of the body.
Intron
Region of a gene that codes for a section that is removed from the final version of the mRNA copied from that gene.
Region of a gene that codes for a section that is removed from the final version of the mRNA copied from that gene.
iPS Cells
Induced pluripotent stem cells. Produced by reprogramming mature cells with specific genes that cause terminally differentiated cells to revert into pluripotent ones.
Induced pluripotent stem cells. Produced by reprogramming mature cells with specific genes that cause terminally differentiated cells to revert into pluripotent ones.
kb
Kilobase. 1,000 base pairs.
Kilobase. 1,000 base pairs.
miRNA
Micro RNA. Small RNA molecules that are copied from DNA but that don’t code for proteins. miRNAs are a subset of ncRNAs
Micro RNA. Small RNA molecules that are copied from DNA but that don’t code for proteins. miRNAs are a subset of ncRNAs
mRNA
Messenger RNA. Copied from DNA and codes for proteins.
Messenger RNA. Copied from DNA and codes for proteins.
ncRNA
Non-coding RNA. Copied from DNA and doesn’t code for proteins.
Non-coding RNA. Copied from DNA and doesn’t code for proteins.
MZ Twins
Monozygotic/ identical twins, formed when an early embryo splits in two.
Monozygotic/ identical twins, formed when an early embryo splits in two.
Neurotransmitter
A chemical produced by one brain cell that acts on another brain cell to alter its behaviour.
A chemical produced by one brain cell that acts on another brain cell to alter its behaviour.
Nucleosome
Combination of eight specific histone molecules with DNA wrapped around them.
Combination of eight specific histone molecules with DNA wrapped around them.
Phenotype
The observable characteristics or traits of an organism.
The observable characteristics or traits of an organism.
Pluripotency
The ability of a cell to give rise to most other cell types. Typically, pluripotent mammalian cells give rise to all cells of the body, but not the cells of the placenta.
The ability of a cell to give rise to most other cell types. Typically, pluripotent mammalian cells give rise to all cells of the body, but not the cells of the placenta.
Priomordial germ cells
Very specialised cells created in early development, which give rise ultimately to the gametes.
Very specialised cells created in early development, which give rise ultimately to the gametes.
Promoter
Region in front of a gene that controls how a gene is switched on.
Region in front of a gene that controls how a gene is switched on.
Pronucleus
The nucleus of a sperm or egg, following entry of a sperm into an egg, but before the two nuclei fuse.
The nucleus of a sperm or egg, following entry of a sperm into an egg, but before the two nuclei fuse.
Retrotransposons
Unusual segments of DNA that don’t code for protein and can move between different locations in the genome. Believed to have originated from viruses.
Unusual segments of DNA that don’t code for protein and can move between different locations in the genome. Believed to have originated from viruses.
RNA
Single stranded copy of a specific region of DNA. The term RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. It includes various different classes of RNA molecules including miRNA, mRNA and ncRNA.
Single stranded copy of a specific region of DNA. The term RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. It includes various different classes of RNA molecules including miRNA, mRNA and ncRNA.
Sex chromosomes
The X and Y chromosomes that govern sex determination in mammals. Normally, females have two X chromosomes and males have one X and one Y chromosome.
The X and Y chromosomes that govern sex determination in mammals. Normally, females have two X chromosomes and males have one X and one Y chromosome.
Somatic cells
Cells of the body.
Cells of the body.
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)
The transfer of the nucleus from a mature cell into another cell, usually an egg.
The transfer of the nucleus from a mature cell into another cell, usually an egg.
Somatic mutations
Mutations that happen in the cells of the body, rather than ones that have been inherited via sperm or eggs.
Mutations that happen in the cells of the body, rather than ones that have been inherited via sperm or eggs.
Stochastic variation
A random change or fluctuation.
A random change or fluctuation.
Totipotency
The ability of a cell to give rise to all cells of the body and the placenta.
The ability of a cell to give rise to all cells of the body and the placenta.
Transcription
Copying DNA to create RNA molecules.
Copying DNA to create RNA molecules.
Transgenerational inheritance
The phenomenon in which phenotypic changes in one generation are passed on to the next, without any alteration in the genetic code.
The phenomenon in which phenotypic changes in one generation are passed on to the next, without any alteration in the genetic code.
Uniparental disomy
A situation where both members of a pair of chromosomes have been inherited from one parent, rather than one from each parent. For example, maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 11 would mean both copies of chromosome 11 had come from the mother.
A situation where both members of a pair of chromosomes have been inherited from one parent, rather than one from each parent. For example, maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 11 would mean both copies of chromosome 11 had come from the mother.
Vernalisation
The process where plants need a period of cold before they will flower.
The process where plants need a period of cold before they will flower.
Zygote
The totipotent cell formed when an egg and a sperm fuse.
The totipotent cell formed when an egg and a sperm fuse.
a
gene
gene
ABO blood type system
abuse, childhood
acetyl-lysine
acetylation
and stress
see also
histone modifications
histone modifications
achondroplasia
acquired characteristics
addictions
adenine (A)
ADH
gene
gene
adipocytes
adrenal glands
adrenocorticotrophin hormone
ageing
calorie restriction and
definition
histone deacetylase inhibitors and
telomeres in control of
aggression
agouti
gene
gene
Air
RNA
RNA
alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)
alligators
Allis, David
Alnylam
Alzheimer’s disease
Amgen
amino acids
amphetamine addiction
androgen receptor
Angelman syndrome (AS)
anhedonia
animal studies, value
antibiotics
ants
Apis mellifera
,
see
honeybees
,
see
honeybees
Arabidopsis thaliana
arginine vasopressin gene
ARH1
gene
gene
artemisinin
assisted reproductive technologies
asthma
Aton Pharma
autism
autosomes
Avery, Oswald
A
vy
gene
vy
gene
Axin
Fu
gene
Fu
gene
2-aza-5´-deoxycytidine
5-azacytidine
as cancer controller
and memory
side-effects
structure
5-azacytosine
bacteria
genomes
base-pairing principle
base-pairs
bases
Baylin, Stephen
BC1 RNA
Bcr-Abl
gene
gene
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
Bedford, Mark
bees
male
see also
honeybees
honeybees
benign tumours
Berger, Shelley
Bestor, Tim
beta cells
bipolar disorder
Bird, Adrian
bisphenol A
Blackburn, Elizabeth
blastocyst
BLIMP1
BLIMP1
gene
gene
blood vessel cell growth
body weight
bone marrow
Botox
brain
complexity in humans
imprinting in
regions
RNA transcription in
BRCA1
gene
gene
breast cancer
pre-menopausal
Brenner, Sydney
Breslow, Ronald
Briggs, Robert
butterflies
butyric acid
C. elegans see Caenorhabditis elegans
c-Myc
gene
gene
Caenorhabditis elegans
calorie restriction
Campbell, Keith
cancer
age as risk factor
biology
DNA methylation in
DNA sequence changes in
epigenetic therapies
miRNAs in
prevention
stem cell aspect
treatment
Carausius morosus
cardiac hypertrophy
cardiomyocytes
cardiovascular disease
cartilage proteins
caterpillars
cats, tortoiseshell
Cattanach, Bruce
cell division
cell lines
cell self-destruct mechanisms
cell therapy
cells, number in humans
cereals
Chain, Ernest
A Child Called It
childhood morbidity
childhood mortality
childhood trauma
and gene expression in brain
chimpanzee genome
chondrocytes
chromatin
chromatin modification patterns
chromatin remodellers
chromosome breaks
chromosomes
counting
imprinted
see also
autosomes; sex chromosomes; X chromosomes; Y chromosomes
autosomes; sex chromosomes; X chromosomes; Y chromosomes
chronic diseases
development
chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
chronic myeloid leukaemia
Chua, Amy
Chua, Katrin
circadian rhythms
clear-cell renal carcinoma
cleft palate
cloning
abnormalities and
farm animals
in ideal world
therapeutic
coat colour
cocaine addiction
codons
COLDAIR RNA
colon cancers
concordance rate
cortex
corticotrophin-releasing hormone
cortisol
cortisol receptor gene
cosmetic surgery
CpG islands
CpG methylation
CpG motifs
Craig, Jeffrey
Crick, Francis
crocodiles
cutaneous T cell lymphoma
cytidine (base C)
cytoplasm
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