Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand.
Int J Mol Sci. 2021 May 10;22(9):5047. doi: 10.3390/ijms22095047.
Epigenetics refers to the DNA chemistry changes that result in the modification of gene transcription and translation independently of the underlying DNA coding sequence. Epigenetic modifications are reported to involve various molecular mechanisms, including classical epigenetic changes affecting DNA methylation and histone modifications and small RNA-mediated processes, particularly that of microRNAs. Epigenetic changes are reversible and are closely interconnected. They are recognised to play a critical role as mediators of gene regulation, and any alteration in these mechanisms has been identified to mediate various pathophysiological conditions. Moreover, genetic predisposition and environmental factors, including dietary alterations, lifestyle or metabolic status, are identified to interact with the human epigenome, highlighting the importance of epigenetic factors as underlying processes in the aetiology of various diseases such as MetS. This review will reflect on how both the classical and microRNA-regulated epigenetic changes are associated with the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome. We will then focus on the various aspects of epigenetic-based strategies used to modify MetS outcomes, including epigenetic diet, epigenetic drugs, epigenome editing tools and miRNA-based therapies.
表观遗传学是指 DNA 化学变化导致基因转录和翻译的修饰，而不依赖于潜在的 DNA 编码序列。据报道，表观遗传修饰涉及多种分子机制，包括影响 DNA 甲基化和组蛋白修饰的经典表观遗传变化以及小 RNA 介导的过程，特别是 microRNAs。表观遗传变化是可逆的，并且密切相关。它们被认为作为基因调控的介质发挥着关键作用，这些机制的任何改变都被认为介导了各种病理生理状况。此外，遗传易感性和环境因素，包括饮食改变、生活方式或代谢状态，被认为与人类表观基因组相互作用，强调了表观遗传因素作为各种疾病（如代谢综合征）病因的潜在过程的重要性。这篇综述将反思经典和 microRNA 调控的表观遗传变化如何与代谢综合征的病理生理学相关。然后，我们将重点讨论用于修饰代谢综合征结果的基于表观遗传的各种策略，包括表观遗传饮食、表观遗传药物、表观基因组编辑工具和基于 microRNA 的治疗。
