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Epigenetics is the study of molecular processes that influence the flow of information between a constant DNA sequence and variable gene expression patterns. This includes investigation of nuclear organization, DNA methylation, histone modification and RNA transcription. Epigenetic processes can result in intergenerational (heritable) effects as well as clonal propagation of cell identity without any mutational change in DNA sequence.
Researchers find that brief and reversible inhibition of a gene-silencing mechanism leads to irreversible tumour formation in fruit flies, challenging the idea that cancer is caused only by permanent changes to DNA.
A triplet repeat expansion in Arabidopsis induces gene silencing that results in a severe growth defect. We show that an interplay between a SUMO protease and histone readers of active and inactive marks is required for this gene silencing, which highlights the importance of post-translational modifiers in chromatin remodelling.
Please let us know if there are any inaccuracies: ‘Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is most commonly detected at a late stage, which limits survival and treatment options. Here, the authors utilise whole genome bisulfite sequencing to create a cfDNA framework to detect cfDNA methylation, copy number variants and fragmentation.
Disturbances in the gut microbiota of male mice manifest as fitness defects in their offspring by affecting plancenta function, revealing a paternal gut–germline axis.
Temporal multi-omic analysis of tissues from rats undergoing up to eight weeks of endurance exercise training reveals widespread shared, tissue-specific and sex-specific changes, including immune, metabolic, stress response and mitochondrial pathways.
Cell type-specific epigenomic alterations and heterogeneity in paediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumours remain underexplored. Here, the authors integrate bulk DNA cytosine modification data with bulk and single-nucleus RNA-sequencing to explore cell type-specific epigenomic alterations and gene regulation in paediatric CNS tumours.
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are associated with chemoresistance and poor prognosis in multiple cancer types. Here, the authors investigate the role of secreted Wnt ligands in pancreatic and breast CSCs and identify E2F1/4-GCN5-pRb/RBL2 as a regulatory axis underlying Wnt secretion.
Even though glucocorticoids are potent anti-inflammatory agents, they can cause muscle wasting. Here, the authors show that targeting the glucocorticoid receptor coactivator LSD1 limits muscle loss without reducing the drugs’ efficiency on the immune system.
Renée Beekman discusses the possibilities for research into transient enhancers by highlighting a recent paper by Vermunt et al. that identifies how they can modulate gene silencing dynamics.
Researchers find that brief and reversible inhibition of a gene-silencing mechanism leads to irreversible tumour formation in fruit flies, challenging the idea that cancer is caused only by permanent changes to DNA.
A triplet repeat expansion in Arabidopsis induces gene silencing that results in a severe growth defect. We show that an interplay between a SUMO protease and histone readers of active and inactive marks is required for this gene silencing, which highlights the importance of post-translational modifiers in chromatin remodelling.
In this Tools of the Trade article, Dongsheng Bai and Chenxu Zhu describe SIMPLE-seq, a scalable single-cell sequencing method that simultaneously decodes the cytosine modifications 5mC and 5hmC.