Vaping has been touted as a safer alternative to smoking, but some recent studies are showing that the biological effects have similarities. Now, a team clears the air and reports that DNA methylation changes in vapers’ oral cells resemble those found in smokers, which suggests that vaping could have comparable long-term health effects. Smoke gets in […] The post Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Changes from Vaping and Smoking Have Striking Similarities appeared first on EpiGenie | Epigenetics, Stem Cell, and Synthetic Biology News ..read more

Recent reports have highlighted how SARS-CoV-2 infection and the resulting COVID-19 can turn epigenetics against us; however, new research now reveals that the epigenetic machinery can also help us fight back against viral attacks – in the guise of specific RNA modifications. A team of epigenetic tusslers guided by Yu Chen (Wuhan University) knew of […] The post Epigenetic Machinery Fights Back! SARS-CoV-2 RNA Modifications Inhibit Replication and Pathogenesis appeared first on EpiGenie | Epigenetics, Stem Cell, and Synthetic Biology News ..read more

Reading glasses, or “readers,” help you see text and other fine details up close. Inspired by our desire for increased resolution, a talented team is using histone readers to more clearly see which long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) interact with particular histone modifications. Their method, called Chrom-seq, doesn’t require highly pure antibodies or crosslinking, making it […] The post Chrom-seq Uses ‘Readers’ to See Which RNAs Put Epigenetic Marks on Chromatin appeared first on EpiGenie | Epigenetics, Stem Cell, and Synthetic Biology News ..read more

While many know that serotonin impacts mood and emotions, a smattering of studies have found that this neurotransmitter can modify histones and regulate gene expression. Now, fascinating new research reveals that histone serotonylation contributes to the regulation of aggressive brain tumors, playing a role in the complex interactions taking place between neuron–tumor signaling, epigenetics, and […] The post Histone Serotonylation: From Boosting Moods to Regulating Brain Tumor Progression appeared first on EpiGenie | Epigenetics, Stem Cell, and Synthetic Biology News ..read more

Finding informative epigenetic targets in the genome is no easy task; however, cleverly composed studies previously reported on the discovery of correlated regions of systemic interindividual variation (or CoRSIVs) in humans – DNA methylation patterns that vary between individuals but remain consistent across tissues. Now, this talented team sets its sights on understanding this level […] The post CoRSIVs in Cows? Targeting a DNA Methylation Bullseye May Improve Livestock Farming! appeared first on EpiGenie | Epigenetics, Stem Cell, and Synthetic Biology News ..read more

Exercise can boost your mood and improve heart and bone health. Now, a talented team uncovers the epigenetic mechanisms behind another good reason to hit the gym. Working out can help with learning and long-term memory via Acvr1c, a member of the TGF-beta family. Gym rats—er, exercising mice—can learn under “subthreshold training” conditions after a workout, […] The post The Epigenetics of Exercise: Acvr1c Improves Learning and Memory appeared first on EpiGenie | Epigenetics, Stem Cell, and Synthetic Biology News ..read more

Certain scientific findings may be considered colossal or even epic in scale; however, few compare to a “mammoth” new study describing the three-dimensional genome architecture of preserved cells from a 52,000-year-old animal skin sample thanks to a primeval-sounding yet cutting-edge technique known as PaleoHi-C! Epigenetics research goes pre-historic! A veritable “stampede” of researchers led by Olga Dudchenko, Marc A. Marti-Renom, M. Thomas P. Gilbert, and Erez Lieberman Aiden aimed to advance the study of ancient DNA from small-scale to large-scale differences. They developed an in situ Hi ..read more

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except Spain winning at football and age-related chromatin remodeling! While this remodeling was thought to drive aging via the loss of epigenetic information, new research provides evidence for the “hijacking” of developmental maturation via activator protein 1 (AP-1)-activity as a major player. Surefire researchers “captained” by Christian M. Nefzger (University of Queensland) hypothesized that epigenetics could mechanistically connect developmental maturation and aging. Therefore, the team profiled age-related alterations to chromatin remodel ..read more

Aching joints and wrinkled skin are an unwelcome part of aging, but in the future, you might be able to avoid arthritis medications and cosmetic procedures by getting a shot of TERT activator compound (TAC). A young-at-heart team identified this small molecule, which increases transcription of a telomerase subunit called TERT. The upshot is that a little TAC leads to more youthful human and mouse cells, as well as adult mice with more spring in their step.   Mutations in telomerase components can lead to premature aging but forcing expression of a telomerase subunit called TERT (telomeras ..read more

While George Clooney or Cate Blanchett exude a degree of charm, a captivating new epigenetic advance may outdo them both! A new study now describes a compact epigenetic editor known as “CHARM” that engages the cell’s own DNA methylation machinery to stop a fatal neurodegenerative disease in its tracks. A charismatic crew guided by Sonia M. Vallabh and Jonathan S. Weissman knew that removing the troublesome, misfolded prion protein from neurons protected against neurodegenerative disease progression. Therefore, they sought to develop an epigenetic editing technology that could turn off prion ge ..read more