Review

Epigenetics: Judge, jury and executioner of stem cell fate

Volume 7, Issue 8   August 2012
Pages 823 - 840
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/epi.21141
Keywords: Polycomb, Trithorax, chromatin, embryonic stem cells, epigenetics, histone modification, hydroxymethylation, non-coding RNA, post translational modification
Authors: James R. Tollervey and Victoria V. Lunyak

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Abstract:
Emerging evidence is shedding light on a large and complex network of epigenetic modifications at play in human stem cells. This “epigenetic landscape” governs the fine-tuning and precision of gene expression programs that define the molecular basis of stem cell pluripotency, differentiation and reprogramming. This review will focus on recent progress in our understanding of the processes that govern this landscape in stem cells, such as histone modification, DNA methylation, alterations of chromatin structure due to chromatin remodeling and non-coding RNA activity. Further investigation into stem cell epigenetics promises to provide novel advances in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide array of human diseases.

Received: May 10, 2012; Accepted: June 15, 2012; Published Online: July 18, 2012

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