Editorial commentary: Epigenetics and cardiovascular disease —From concept to reality

The concept of epigenetic regulation of gene expression has been around for decades, and the underlying observations date back more than a century. The specific term has been attributed to Waddington [1]. The basic idea of epigenetics is that gene expression can be influenced by factors other than the genetic sequence. The various elements of epigenetic control include DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNA interactions with either DNA or mRNA. Epigenetic alterations have been suggested as responsible for a variety of inherited traits, including altered growth, psychological conditions and other physical manifestations in holocaust survivors and others oppressed in World War II [2 –4], cardiovascular mortality in probands as a result of their grandparents food access [5], and even the basic differences in phenotype for identical twins [6].
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research