The Process of Epigenetics - Essay Example

The process of epigenetics involves chromatin remodeling, a process that involves the modification of the DNA methylation and histone (Burrggrreen, para 1). Burrggrreen adds that the process occurs alongside RNA-mediated modifications and involves self-sustenance loops and structural inheritance (Ho DH 3). There are particular reasons why the study of epigenetics is important today (Suter and Aagaard-Tillery, para 45). They add that pollution and global climate change in relation to global warming mean that the human race needs to survive in the continually changing environment. This is in relation to what the two articles by Burrggrreen and Feero et al. have discussed- the body will need to alter its genetic sequence so that it can be able to handle the dangers that both our genetic makeup and environmental changes present.

The process of epigenetics occurs without the modification of the gene sequence. The idea of epigenetics has not been fully embraced partly because it is not a part of physiological investigations (Feero et al., para 4).  Any change in environment continually affects the subsequent generation since there is suppressing or expressing a certain character. This expressing or silencing of the gene does not affect the gene sequence for at least some generations (Burrggrreen, para 1).

The understanding of the role played by epigenetic changes in regulating the expression or silencing of genes has seen significant advancement over the past decade. These changes are simple chemical alterations in the DNA that do not affect the chief base-pair sequence of the DNA. The aforementioned DNA methylation involves enzymatic methylation of the cytosine nucleotides that are found in some regions of the DNA. The transcription does not occur actively in differentiated cells (Feero et al., para 18). Looking at cancers, you realize that they exhibit abnormal patterns of DNA methylation (Feero et al., para 18). It is due to this reason in gene regulation, actually, that drugs targeting the abnormal methylation pathways are receiving the increased focus and are thought to be easily developed.

As discussed by Burrggrreen and Feero et al. in the two articles, gene regulation is essential in helping cells respond to environmental changes. Today, this knowledge has become helpful in controlling the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer that depend on gene mutation. With the correct research, human beings can now augment the traditional methods of determining the cell type causing tumours, therefore, have ease in developing curative or preventive measures.

The articles outline the most important factors that affect epigenetics. I find it interesting that epigenetic changes are highly dependent on the environment and that the changes on the DNA of an individual or organism rely on time and they may not be permanent as the stressors involved may disappear sometime later (Feero et al., para 18). This, according to the articles, forces the genes to revert to their initial conditions.

It is also interesting that there are complications that can only be inherited through the maternal side. Alterations in the mitochondrial DNA is one example. This complication affects energy metabolism and is very common in patients suffering from coronary artery disease and diabetes.