The molecular hallmarks of epigenetic control
- Nat Rev Genet. 2016 Aug;17(8):487-500. doi: 10.1038/nrg.2016.59.
Affiliations
- 1. Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York 10065, New York, USA.
- 2. Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, Freiburg D-79108, Germany.
PMID: 27346641
DOI: 10.1038/nrg.2016.59
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, breakthrough discoveries of chromatin-modifying Enzymes and associated mechanisms that alter chromatin in response to physiological or pathological signals have transformed our knowledge of Epigenetics from a collection of curious biological phenomena to a functionally dissected research field. Here, we provide a personal perspective on the development of Epigenetics, from its historical origins to what we define as 'the modern era of epigenetic research'. We primarily highlight key molecular mechanisms of and conceptual advances in epigenetic control that have changed our understanding of normal and perturbed development.