Scientists just rewrote our understanding of epigenetics DNA and RNA epigenetics, once thought to be separate, have now been found to work together to fine-tune gene expression. www.livescience.com/health/genet... - ThreadSky

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bettycjung.bsky.social • 11 days ago

Scientists just rewrote our understanding of epigenetics
DNA and RNA epigenetics, once thought to be separate, have now been found to work together to fine-tune gene expression.
https://www.livescience.com/health/genetics/scientists-just-rewrote-our-understanding-of-epigenetics

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peter-donnelly.bsky.social•11 days ago

And they laughed at Lamarck

bettycjung.bsky.social•11 days ago

Epigenetics is a form of DNA modification that doesn't affect the DNA sequence itself. Instead, it describes when chemical groups attach to specific genes, thus switching those genes on or off, or else changing the 3D shape of chromosomes.

bettycjung.bsky.social•11 days ago

Now, in a study published Jan. 17 in the journal Cell, scientists have uncovered a whole new method of gene regulation that involves epigenetic tweaks made to both DNA and its molecular cousin RNA, at the same time.

bettycjung.bsky.social•11 days ago

One common type of epigenetic modification is methylation, which describes the addition of a molecule called a methyl group to DNA or histones — proteins that DNA wraps around to become more compact and fit into the nucleus.

bettycjung.bsky.social•11 days ago

A protein called DNMT1 adds these molecules to DNA, and its activity can turn gene expression up or down depending on where a given gene is methylated.
RNA — a molecule that shuttles instructions from DNA out into the cell to make proteins — can also be modified.

bettycjung.bsky.social•11 days ago

This is mainly done by a protein complex called METTL3-METTL14. This methylation can destabilize the RNA molecule, reducing the amount of protein made.

Every cell in the body uses both RNA and DNA methylation to regulate gene expression.

bettycjung.bsky.social•11 days ago

The team found METTL3-METTL14 complex interacts with RNA also recruits & physically binds to DNMT1, the protein that tags DNA. This new, bigger complex can then methylate the same gene at the DNA or RNA level.

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