Genomic imprinting and epigenetic control of development.
Epigenetic mechanisms are extensively utilized during mammalian development. Specific patterns of gene expression are established during cell fate decisions, maintained as differentiation progresses, and often augmented as more specialized cell types are required. Much of what is known about these mechanisms comes from the study of two distinct epigenetic phenomena: genomic imprinting and X-chromosome inactivation. In the case of genomic imprinting, alleles are expressed in a parent-of-origin-dependent manner, whereas X-chromosome inactivation in females requires that only one X chromosome is active in each somatic nucleus. As model systems for epigenetic regulation, genomic imprinting and X-chromosome inactivation have identified and elucidated the numerous regulatory mechanisms that function throughout the genome during development.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Department of Genetics, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
Andrew
A
Fedoriw
Joshua
J
Mugford
Terry
T
Magnuson
D000818:Animals; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D005854:Germ Cells; D006801:Humans; D049951:X Chromosome Inactivation