The author Steven Johnson wrote: "If we didn't have genetic mutations, we wouldn't have us. You need error to open the door to the adjacent possible.” It is undeniable that everyone wondered, at some point in their lives, why do we bear a striking resemblance with our parents or why do we have the same eye color or nose shape as them. I guess you did some research to feed your curiosity, and you discovered that all of these happen thanks to the genes you inherited from your parents, some genes which can be found in your DNA. Now, if I told you that these genes also depend on the environment where you or your ancestors lived, their habits, and their behavior, would you believe me? Blame it all on epigenetics.
Starting with “epi”, in Greek meaning “over, on top of”, the word “epigenetics” refers to a set of an additional layer of information, located on the top of your DNA, which controls the reading and manifesting of your other genes, often causing some changes. However, these changes are not permanent, they are usually reversible, and they DO NOT change the DNA sequence.
How can your epigenetics change? We have a list of factors that can change its functioning, like:
Development→epigenetics determines what a cell is going to do in your body (before you are born);
Age→your epigenetics change through all of your life;
The environment→which is going to change the reversibility of your genes;
Epigenetics and diseases
Research shows that epigenetics is correlated with a few health problems, some of them being cancers, autoimmune disorders, neurological problems, and addictions.
►Cancer ◄
Cancer happens when the human cells start to divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. As it can be seen, cancer epigene is a lot different from the normal one. It was shown that cancerous cells carry a considerable load of epigenetic damage, and this is why cancer is considered to be an epigenetic disease.
► Autoimmune disorders◄
All autoimmune diseases share immunogenetic mechanisms mediated in part by several pleiotropic genes. Over the years, many studies have shown that these diseases are caused by alterations in many loci and genes in the human genome. Autoimmune diseases may be generated by several changes in the same epigenetic mechanism. Also, it is essential to understand that epigenetics is not the only mechanism that may cause autoimmunity. There are intrinsic and extrinsic components (mutations, polymorphisms, and environmental factors) that predispose to autoimmunity.
► Neurological disorders◄
Recent researches have shown that Alzheimer's Disease is a result of epigenetic changes - how and when certain genes are turned on and off - in the brain.
► Addictions◄
Vulnerability to addiction and chronic addiction is influenced by convergent biological, social, environmental, and genetic factors. Studies have revealed that there are common heritable genetic components that predispose an individual to drug addiction. These genetic factors contribute approximately 20–50% to the variance of developing a drug addiction, with the remaining contribution due to non-genetic factors.
To conclude, epigenetics is one of the most complex topics, but it’s useful to know that what you are doing now may affect your children or your grandkids. Genetics is so much more than just the inheritance of physical features!
Resources:
-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5075137/
-https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/epigenetics.htm
-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3463407/
-https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200928152907.htm
Editor- Cesara Andronic
Comments