Each cell of our body contains two meters of DNA which contains our genomic information. The DNA is packed in proteins known as histones. The DNA and protein complex is called the chromatin. Chromatin is connected further forming a chromosome. The core of the nucleosome is composed of DNA molecules plus histone octamers in which 2 copies of each histone can be found. This organization of the DNA complex allows the genes to be expressed.
Several epigenetic changes can occur from:
- Changes in development
- Environmental chemicals
- Drugs/Pharmaceuticals
- Aging
- Diet
Epigenetic changes may result in cancer, autoimmune diseases, mental disorders, and diabetes, to mention a few.
Three main epigenetic changes can be summarized:
- Histone modifications
- DNA methylation
- Non-coding RNA
