Epigenetic modifications and human disease; a plausible prospects for epigenetic therapy

Heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve coding sequence modifications are referred to as epigenetic . The study of human disease has focused on genetic mechanisms, however, many diseases, including certain genetic diseases, metabolic, autoimmune, and neurological disorders and tumors are accompanied by aberrant DNA methylation and/orhistone modification profiles. In contrast to genetic mutations, such epi-mutations are reversible. Therefore, the overwritingof epigenetic marks to modulate gene expression in a gene-specific way (Epigenetic Editing) would offer a novel approachin biomedical research to develop epigenetic interventions. Great potential lies in the development of ‘epigenetic therapies’ -several inhibitors of enzymes controlling epigenetic modifications, specifically DNA methyltransferases and histone deacetylases- have shown promising antitumorigenic effects for some malignancies. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of epigenetic mechanisms, their interactions and alterations in health and disease, has become a priority in biomedical research. Here we discuss the latest findings about the role of aberrant placement of the epigenetic marks and mutations which is involved in disease development. Furthermore, we indicate recent advances in the therapeutic modification by Epigenetic Editing

Keywords:

Chromatin structure , Epigenetics , diseases , epigenetic therapy