title: Epigenetics: a key regulator of platyhelminth developmental biology?
abstract: The Platyhelminthes (flukes/flatworms) are a large group of derived metazoans beautifully adapted for existence in diversely challenging ecosystems. As tractable examples of development and self-regeneration or as causative agents of aquacultural, veterinary and biomedically-relevant parasitic diseases, the platyhelminths are subject to intensive inter-disciplinary research. Given the complex lifestyles exhibited by individuals within this phylum, we postulate that epigenetic processes feature in many aspects of platyhelminth lifecycle diversity, development and environmentally-driven adaptations.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK.
authors.forename: Kathrin K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Geyer
authors.forename: Karl F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D010986:Platyhelminths / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015801:Helminth Proteins; D006657:Histones