Epigenetics and Reproductive Medicine
In 1942, Conrad H Waddington introduced the term ‘epigenetics’, to describe a biological process that takes place between the genotype and phenotype.1 Epigenetics was subsequently defined as ‘the study of mitotically and meiotically heritable changes in gene function that cannot be explained by chan...
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| Published in: | BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Vol. 125; no. 13; pp. e43 - e54 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
London
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
01-12-2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | In 1942, Conrad H Waddington introduced the term ‘epigenetics’, to describe a biological process that takes place between the genotype and phenotype.1 Epigenetics was subsequently defined as ‘the study of mitotically and meiotically heritable changes in gene function that cannot be explained by changes in DNA sequences’.2 It is a gene‐marking and gene‐regulatory system that is essential for normal mammalian development. Examples of epigenetic marks include DNA methylation3 and covalent modifications that are positioned on the histone proteins, the ‘histone code’, which act to regulate chromatin function.4 Of importance to the field of reproductive medicine, epigenetic marks are extensively reprogrammed during gametogenesis and preimplantation embryonic development. These epigenetic modifications, in addition to RNA‐based epigenetic mechanisms,5 are important in regulating gene expression.6 The appropriate regulation of epigenetic information is critical to normal development, since the disruption of epigenetic mechanisms can cause disease.7-11 |
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| ISSN: | 1470-0328 1471-0528 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/1471-0528.15240 |