Interindividual variation in epigenomic phenomena in humans.
Our knowledge of regulatory mechanisms of gene expression and other chromosomal processes related to DNA methylation and chromatin state is continuing to grow at a rapid pace. Understanding how these epigenomic phenomena vary between individuals will have an impact on understanding their broader role in determining variation in gene expression and biochemical, physiological, and behavioural phenotypes. In this review we survey recent progress in this area, focusing on data available from humans. We highlight the role of obligatory (sequence-dependent) epigenomic variation as an important mechanism for generating interindividual variation that could impact our understanding of the mechanistic basis of complex trait architecture.
French
Hugh J
HJ
Genome Biology Program, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, GPO Box 334, Canberra City, ACT 2601, Australia.
Attenborough
Rosalind
R
Hardy
Kristine
K
Shannon
M Frances
MF
Williams
Rohan B H
RB
D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans