Weissmann Frank, Lyko Frank
Research Group Epigenetics, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg, Germany.
Bioessays. 2003 Aug;25(8):792-7. doi: 10.1002/bies.10314.
Epigenetic information is encoded by DNA methylation and by covalent modifications of histone tails. While defined epigenetic modification patterns have been frequently correlated with particular states of gene activity, very little is known about the integration level of epigenetic signals. Recent experiments have resulted in the characterization of several epigenetic adaptors that mediate interactions between distinct modifications. These adaptors include methyl-DNA binding proteins, chromatin remodelling enzymes and siRNAs. Complex interactions between epigenetic modifiers and adaptors provide the foundation for the stability of epigenetic inheritance. In addition, they also provide an explanation for the long-range effects of epigenetic mechanisms. We propose that a major aspect of epigenetic regulation lies in the modification of chromosome architecture and that local changes in gene expression would be secondary consequences. This view is consistent with many results from recent genomic analyses.
表观遗传信息由DNA甲基化和组蛋白尾部的共价修饰编码。虽然已明确的表观遗传修饰模式常常与特定的基因活性状态相关，但对于表观遗传信号的整合水平却知之甚少。最近的实验已鉴定出几种介导不同修饰之间相互作用的表观遗传衔接子。这些衔接子包括甲基化DNA结合蛋白、染色质重塑酶和小干扰RNA。表观遗传修饰因子与衔接子之间的复杂相互作用为表观遗传遗传的稳定性奠定了基础。此外，它们也为表观遗传机制的远程效应提供了解释。我们认为，表观遗传调控的一个主要方面在于染色体结构的修饰，而基因表达的局部变化将是次要结果。这一观点与最近基因组分析的许多结果一致。
