Focus
Epigenetic Dynamics
Editorial
Focus on Epigenetic Dynamics
The dynamic epigenome - p258
doi:10.1038/nsmb.2534
The dynamic nature of functional information present in the genome—such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and chromatin organization—is beginning to be uncovered, along with the relationship between epigenomic patterning and developmental decisions or disease.
Full Text - The dynamic epigenome | PDF (152 KB) - The dynamic epigenome
Reviews
Focus on Epigenetic Dynamics
Regulation of nucleosome dynamics by histone modifications - pp259 - 266
Gabriel E Zentner & Steven Henikoff
doi:10.1038/nsmb.2470
The properties of nucleosomes can be altered in various ways, including by covalent modification of histones. In this Review, the known properties of key histone modifications and the biological processes to which they are linked are examined to place the modifications in the context of nucleosome dynamics—that is, processes in which nucleosomes are translocated, unwrapped, evicted or replaced.
Abstract - Regulation of nucleosome dynamics by histone modifications | Full Text - Regulation of nucleosome dynamics by histone modifications | PDF (1,410 KB) - Regulation of nucleosome dynamics by histone modifications
Focus on Epigenetic Dynamics
Determinants of nucleosome positioning - pp267 - 273
Kevin Struhl & Eran Segal
doi:10.1038/nsmb.2506
Nucleosome positioning is crucial for gene expression and other DNA-related processes. In this Review, the authors consider mechanisms by which the genomic pattern of nucleosome positioning is achieved and conclude that nucleosome positioning is determined by the combined effects of several factors including DNA sequence, DNA-binding proteins, nucleosome remodelers and the transcription machinery.
Abstract - Determinants of nucleosome positioning | Full Text - Determinants of nucleosome positioning | PDF (684 KB) - Determinants of nucleosome positioning
Focus on Epigenetic Dynamics
DNA methylation dynamics in health and disease - pp274 - 281
Yehudit Bergman & Howard Cedar
doi:10.1038/nsmb.2518
DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark that is erased in the early embryo and then re-established at the time of implantation. In this Review, dynamics of DNA methylation during normal development in vivo are discussed, starting from fertilization through embryogenesis and postnatal growth, as well as abnormal methylation changes that occur in cancer.
Abstract - DNA methylation dynamics in health and disease | Full Text - DNA methylation dynamics in health and disease | PDF (971 KB) - DNA methylation dynamics in health and disease
Focus on Epigenetic Dynamics
Epigenetic programming and reprogramming during development - pp282 - 289
Irene Cantone & Amanda G Fisher
doi:10.1038/nsmb.2489
Global erasure and re-establishment of chromatin-based and DNA-based epigenetic marks occurs naturally in the mammalian life cycle, but it can also be artificially engineered using various reprogramming strategies. In this Review, recent advances in understanding how epigenetic remodeling contributes to cell-fate reprogramming in vivo and in vitro are summarized.
Abstract - Epigenetic programming and reprogramming during development | Full Text - Epigenetic programming and reprogramming during development | PDF (660 KB) - Epigenetic programming and reprogramming during development
Focus on Epigenetic Dynamics
Functional implications of genome topology - pp290 - 299
Giacomo Cavalli & Tom Misteli
doi:10.1038/nsmb.2474
A fundamental property of genomes is their topological organization in three-dimensional space in the cell nucleus. New imaging technologies and genome-wide biochemical approaches combined with functional data are starting to reveal the functional implications of genome topology, as discussed in this Review, and will enable a better understanding of how genome organization influences gene function, and vice versa.
Abstract - Functional implications of genome topology | Full Text - Functional implications of genome topology | PDF (810 KB) - Functional implications of genome topology
Focus on Epigenetic Dynamics
Structure and function of long noncoding RNAs in epigenetic regulation - pp300 - 307
Tim R Mercer & John S Mattick
doi:10.1038/nsmb.2480
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) fulfill a variety of regulatory roles in gene expression, which are dictated by their RNA structure, chemistry and modular domain structure. In this Review, the focus is on the well-characterized ability for lncRNAs to function as epigenetic modulators as part of a broad epigenetic regulatory network.
Abstract - Structure and function of long noncoding RNAs in epigenetic regulation | Full Text - Structure and function of long noncoding RNAs in epigenetic regulation | PDF (810 KB) - Functional implications of genome topology