title: Unexplored potentials of epigenetic mechanisms of plants and animals-theoretical considerations.
abstract: Morphological and functional changes of cells are important for adapting to environmental changes and associated with continuous regulation of gene expressions. Genes are regulated-in part-by epigenetic mechanisms resulting in alternating patterns of gene expressions throughout life. Epigenetic changes responding to the environmental and intercellular signals can turn on/off specific genes, but do not modify the DNA sequence. Most epigenetic mechanisms are evolutionary conserved in eukaryotic organisms, and several homologs of epigenetic factors are present in plants and animals. Moreover, in vitro studies suggest that the plant cytoplasm is able to induce a nuclear reassembly of the animal cell, whereas others suggest that the ooplasm is able to induce condensation of plant chromatin. Here, we provide an overview of the main epigenetic mechanisms regulating gene expression and discuss fundamental epigenetic mechanisms and factors functioning in both plants and animals. Finally, we hypothesize that animal genome can be reprogrammed by epigenetic factors from the plant protoplast.
authors.affiliation: Seffer-Renner Medical Clinic, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Istvan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Seffer
authors.affiliation: Seffer-Renner Medical Clinic, Budapest, Hungary. ; Department of Pathophysiology and Gerontology, Medical School, and Szentagothai Res Centre, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zoltan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nemeth
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gyula
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Gerontology, Medical School, and Szentagothai Res Centre, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matics
authors.affiliation: Surgery Clinic, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary.
authors.forename: A Gergely
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Seffer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Gerontology, Medical School, and Szentagothai Res Centre, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary. ; Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla NY, USA.
authors.forename: Akos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koller
keywords: DNA methylation; environmental signals; epigenetic mechanisms; gene expression; histone acetylation; protoplast; reprogramming