Epigenetics: The DNA Methylation Profile of Tissue-Dependent and Differentially Methylated Regions in Cells

Epigenetic system of DNA methylation and chromatin structure change in mammalian cells. Methylation of CpGs occurring in the regulatory region of genes causes gene silencing. Methylation of DNA and chromatin structure is coordinated through modification of histones, including by acetylation and methylation. In general, DNA methylation and chromatin condensation are associated with gene silencing. The epigenetic state consisting of DNA methylation and chromatin configuration results in changes in the differentiation of cells. Once established, the epigenetic state is maintained during the proliferation of cells.

Tissue and cell type specific DNA methylation profiles comprising DNA methylation patterns of T-DMRs. A given cell type has a unique pattern of DNA methylation status at each T-DMR (lower panel). These patterns constitute cell type-specific DNA methylation profiles (upper panel). The DNA methylation profile of a cell type is unique and can be a novel tool to define and characterize the cell type.

The place of epigenetics in biological and medical sciences.