Altered gene silencing and human diseases.
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is mediated through several mechanisms, including modifications in DNA methylation, covalent modifications of core nucleosomal histones, rearrangement of histones and RNA interference. It is now clear that deregulation of epigenetic mechanisms cooperates with genetic alterations in the development and progression of several Mendelian disorders. Here, we summarize the recent findings that highlight how certain inherited diseases, such as Rett syndrome, Immunodeficiency-centromeric instability-facial anomalies syndrome, and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, result from altered gene silencing.
Perini
G
G
Department of Biology, University of Bologna, Italy.
Tupler
R
R
D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D020868:Gene Silencing; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000235:genetics; D020391:Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral / Q000235:genetics; D015518:Rett Syndrome / Q000235:genetics
D002843:Chromatin