Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in vertebrate eye development and disease.
Heredity (Edinb)
; 105(1): 135-51, 2010 Jul.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20179734
Eukaryotic DNA is organized as a nucleoprotein polymer termed chromatin with nucleosomes serving as its repetitive architectural units. Cellular differentiation is a dynamic process driven by activation and repression of specific sets of genes, partitioning the genome into transcriptionally active and inactive chromatin domains. Chromatin architecture at individual genes/loci may remain stable through cell divisions, from a single mother cell to its progeny during mitosis, and represents an example of epigenetic phenomena. Epigenetics refers to heritable changes caused by mechanisms distinct from the primary DNA sequence. Recent studies have shown a number of links between chromatin structure, gene expression, extracellular signaling, and cellular differentiation during eye development. This review summarizes recent advances in this field, and the relationship between sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors and their roles in recruitment of chromatin remodeling enzymes. In addition, lens and retinal differentiation is accompanied by specific changes in the nucleolar organization, expression of non-coding RNAs, and DNA methylation. Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in ocular tissues represent exciting areas of research that have opened new avenues for understanding normal eye development, inherited eye diseases and eye diseases related to aging and the environment.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Vertebrados
/
Regulación del Desarrollo de la Expresión Génica
/
Epigénesis Genética
/
Ojo
/
Oftalmopatías
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Heredity (Edinb)
Año:
2010
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido