title: Epigenetic control of adult stem cell function.
abstract: Mammalian embryonic development is a tightly regulated process that, from a single zygote, produces a large number of cell types with hugely divergent functions. Distinct cellular differentiation programmes are facilitated by tight transcriptional and epigenetic regulation. However, the contribution of epigenetic regulation to tissue homeostasis after the completion of development is less well understood. In this Review, we explore the effects of epigenetic dysregulation on adult stem cell function. We conclude that, depending on the tissue type and the epigenetic regulator affected, the consequences range from negligible to stem cell malfunction and disruption of tissue homeostasis, which may predispose to diseases such as cancer.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) Barcelona, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avgustinova
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) Barcelona, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.|ICREA, Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Salvador Aznar
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Benitah
mesh_terms: D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019175:DNA Methylation; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000502:physiology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D012038:Regeneration