Epigenetics

by C. David Allis, Marie-Laure Caparros, Thomas Jenuwein

In many biological processes the regulation of gene expression involves epigenetic mechanisms. In this new edition of Epigenetics, 36 chapters written by experts in the field introduce and explain epigenetic effects from many perspectives. These include the varied molecular mechanisms underpinning epigenetic regulation, discussion of cellular processes that rely on this kind of regulation, and surveys of model organisms in which epigenetic effects have been most studied.
The original chapters have all been rewritten and brand new chapters cover topics such as the structure, function, and dynamics of histone-modifying enzymes and histone-interacting proteins. Other chapters address chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation, siRNAs, and gene silencing; X-chromosome inactivation, dosage compensation, and imprinting; and epigenetics in microbes, plants, insects, and mammals.
How epigenetic mechanisms act in cell division and cell type specification, and how errors in these pathways contribute to cancer and other human diseases are also considered, along with the importance of epigenetics for induced pluripotency and reprogramming. In addition, new chapters describe the involvement of epigenetic processes in epigenetic inheritance, neuronal development, metabolism and signaling, responses to the environment, and long-range chromatin interactions. A series of short essays highlight important recent discoveries.
All the chapters provide conceptual illustrations that help readers understand epigenetic control. The book is thus a benchmark text for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses on gene regulation, as well as an essential resource for scientists interested in this rapidly moving field.

Genres: Science, Genetics, Biology, Health, Nonfiction

984 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2006

Reviews

[Alina · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this book, I finally have a solid notion of what that buzz word "epigenetics" is all about. It refers to a layer of chemical modulators that coat the genes and determine the extent to which certain genes are expressed. Epigenetic factors are determined by environment, esp. the environment of the womb. This is one of the reasons that the stresses encountered by a pregnant woman can have life-long effects on her child. In mammals (except in the special case of certain maternally or paternally stamped genes) epigenetic factors are normally stripped away during the creation of germ cells, so that offspring begin with a blank epigenetic slate. But there appear to be some instances where this doesn't happen, and epigenetic factors are inherited along with genes. The clearest case relates to coat characteristics in rodents. The author also gives a couple of examples of apparent epigenetic inheritance in humans. He presents lots of interesting information, but also argues strongly for a fundamental shift in the way we think about genes. To be fair, he warns you in the preface that he's going to do that. I found his argument both unconvincing and unpleasant to read, since he implies that anyone who doesn't see things his way is intellectually inferior. To me, the standard idea of inheritance is that genes and environment interact in complex ways to produce the characteristics of an organism. It's fascinating that we're beginning to understand one of the mechanisms of that interaction, but not really revolutionary -- at least not for mammals, for whom epigenetic inheritance appears to be a rare occurrence.

[Sonali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive !

[The Book : An Online Review at The New Republic]

THERE HAS BEEN a revolution in the world of genetics. It is called epigenetics. The Greek prefix “epi” implies something that comes in addition to something else; epigenetics adds to the study of genes the study of how they get turned on or off. Read more...

[John Greally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool.

[Huidou]

good book, must read