Epigenetic and Cellular Memory

• Main Authors: Mahdyie Jadaliha, Maryam Shahhoseini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Royan Institute (ACECR), Tehran 2010-01-01
• Series: Cell Journal
• Subjects: Cellular Memory; Epigenetic Reprogramming; Development
• Online Access: http://www.celljournal.org/library/upload/article/af_32424441Shahhosseini.pdf

It has been stated that cells sometimes have the ability to remember who and what theyare! They have this ability, even, though they contain although they have all the necessarygenes neededwith which to become all typeskinds of cells. In this regard, the pattern ofgene expression must be inherited from one cell generation to the next by mechanismsthat lie outside the DNA sequence itself, which is termed cellular memory or epigeneticinheritance.Developmental biology is under the control of both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms.Studies show that the regulation of chromatin structure by DNA methylation and histonemodification is crucial for genome reprogramming during early embryogenesis and gametogenesis,as well as for tissue-specific gene expression and differentiation. Understandingthe process of epigenetic reprogramming in development is important for studies of cloningand the clinical application of stem-cell therapy. In the current review we briefly discuss themolecular mechanism of cellular memory, under the control of epigenetic regulation.