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Review: Epigenetics in Organ Development

Epigenetic regulation of skeletal myogenesis

Valentina Saccone and Pier Lorenzo Puri

During embryogenesis a timely and coordinated expression of different subsets of genes drives the formation of skeletal muscles in response to developmental cues. In this review, we will summarize the most recent advances on the “epigenetic network” that promotes the transcription of selective groups of genes in muscle progenitors, through the concerted action of chromatin-associated complexes that modify histone tails and microRNAs (miRNAs). These epigenetic players cooperate to establish focal domains of euchromatin, which facilitates gene transcription, and large portions of heterochromatin, which precludes inappropriate gene expression. We also discuss the analogies and differences in the transcriptional and the epigenetic networks driving developmental and adult myogenesis. The elucidation of the epigenetic basis controlling skeletal myogenesis during development and adult life will facilitate experimental strategies toward generating muscle stem cells, either by reprogramming embryonic stem cells or by inducing pluripotency in adult skeletal muscles.

Authors

Valentina Saccone

IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation and European Brain Research Institute; Rome, Italy

Pier Lorenzo Puri Corresponding author: plpuri@dti.telethon.it

IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation and European Brain Research Institute; Rome, Italy