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Epigenetics
The word “gene” or “genetics” has always been associated with the characteristics that
are expressed in any living individual. Every organism has a specific gene sequence that decides
everything that a person is, from his moods to his nature, from his eye color to his complexion or
his height. These characteristics are based on the gene sequence and hence are irreversible. Apart
from these, some characteristics change the gene effect because of some behavioral or
environmental changes which are mentioned as epigenetic changes.
Every cell in the body has the same DNA and that means every cell has the same gene
sequence, but the cells are differentiated based on the expression of the genes. To show specific
gene expressions the production of proteins takes place. Some genes are turned off while some
are turned on according to the requirement. The epigenetic changes work by turning on or off the
expression of the genes based on behavioral or environmental changes. What is different in
genetic and epigenetic expression is that epigenetic expressions are reversible.
Some examples of epigenetic changes can be the differences between genetic twins. The
turning off or epigenetic silencing is referred to turning off of gene expression which causes
these eminent differences among identical twins. Another example of epigenetic silencing is the
repression of an extra X chromosome in females. Several functions perform the task of gene
silencing.
DNA Methylation
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The process of DNA Methylation is the attachment of a chemical group i.e. Methyl group
to the DNA sequence. This always happens in the same way as the methyl group only attaches to
the cytosine-guanine nucleotide. By this process the structure of the DNA changes that result in
changing the way gene expression happens.
DNA Methylation can also be reversed by a process named Demethylation, where the
methyl group detaches from the DNA. The methylation process usually happens to turn off the
genes and demethylation turns the gene back on.
Histone Modification
The structure around the DNA wraps is called the Histone. It is an essential chromatin
component as the whole DNA structure depends on it. Histone modification results in the
translation of histone to the protein. The DNA that is wrapped around the histone protein does
