Your genes, as well as your habits and environment, all play a role in your wellbeing. Epigenetics is the study of how your actions and environment can influence how your genes work. Epigenetic changes, unlike genetic changes, are reversible and do not alter the sequence of your DNA, but they do affect how your body reads that DNA sequence. Gene expression refers to the frequency in which proteins are generated from the instructions contained within your genes. Although genetic differences can affect which proteins are created, epigenetic changes affect gene expression, which determines whether genes are switched on or off. It is easy to see the connection between your genes, behaviors, and environment because such factors, like diet and exercise, can cause epigenetic changes.
How do Epigenetics Work?
Epigenetic changes affect gene expression in different ways. Here are several different forms of epigenetic changes.
DNA Methylation
The process of DNA methylation involves the addition of a chemical group to DNA. This category is usually applied to unique locations on DNA, where it prevents proteins from attaching to DNA and “reading” the gene. Demethylation is a procedure that can be used to eliminate this chemical group. Methylation usually turns genes “off,” while demethylation turns them “on.”
Histone Modification
Histones are proteins that wrap around DNA. Proteins that "read" the gene cannot access DNA wrapped tightly around histones. Some genes are switched "off" because they are wrapped around histones, while others are turned "on" because they are not wrapped around histones. Histones may have chemical groups added or removed, affecting whether a gene is wrapped or unwrapped (“on” or “off”).
Non-Coding RNA
Your DNA serves as a blueprint for the development of both coding and non-coding RNA. Proteins are made from coding RNA. Non-coding RNA controls gene expression by combining with certain proteins to break down coding RNA, preventing it from being used to produce proteins. Proteins can be recruited by non-coding RNA to change histones to switch genes "on" or "off."
How Can People's Epigenetics Change?
Your epigenetics change as you age, both as part of normal development and aging and in response to your behaviors and environment.
Growth and Epigenetics
Before you are born, epigenetic changes begin. Your cells all have the same genes, but they look and behave differently. Epigenetics helps decide which function a cell will have as you grow and develop, such as whether it will become a heart cell, nerve cell, or skin cell.
Example: Nerve cell vs. Muscle cell
Muscle cells and nerve cells both have the same DNA, but they work in different ways. A nerve cell is a type of cell that transmits information to other cells in your body. A muscle cell has a structure that helps in the movement of your body. Epigenetics enables muscle cells to turn "on" genes that make proteins essential to their function while turning "off" genes that are important to nerve cells' function.
Reversibility and Epigenetics
Epigenetic shifts are not necessarily lasting. In response to changes in behavior or environment, certain epigenetic changes may be introduced or removed.
Example: Smokers vs. Non-Smokers vs. Former Smokers
Epigenetic changes may occur as a result of smoking. Smokers, for example, have less DNA methylation at some parts of the AHRR gene than non-smokers. For heavy smokers and long-term smokers, the disparity is greater. Former smokers can experience increased DNA methylation at this gene after quitting smoking. They will gradually hit levels comparable to non-smokers. This can happen in as little as a year in some cases, but the amount of time depends on how long and how much someone smoked prior to quitting.
Written by The New Person
The Anonymous Helpers (TAH)
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