Introduction
Genes are the building blocks of our identity. Commonly, we turn to our genes for answers to who we are, what we are, and what we look like, as they are the foundation of what makes us who we are. Even immunity links to our genetic susceptibility, but the typical misconception that our genes are "set in stone" has been repeatedly disproven throughout the study of epigenetics.
What is Epigenetics?
Epigenetics. The root "epi" means above: fitting as epigenetics are the signatures or changes that form above one's genomes. Epigenetics impacts the conveying of genes; changes due to epigenetics cause genes to switch on or off, meaning genes are expressed more or less than they were initially set to be.
Our genetics are responsible for coding for many of our unique attributes. Genetics makes a person essentially themselves by coding for eye colour, hair colour, and height, and even influencing some of our behavioural patterns. However, epigenetics explains how life experiences can alter one's genetic predisposition, which they inherit from their parents. Experiences during development can change the epigenetic markers that control gene expression, changing how genes convey the information they carry.
How does Epigenetics work?
In a fertilised egg, epigenetic marks are usually “cleared”. “Cleared” simplifies Jamie Hackett’s explanation of removing epigenetic markings throughout fertilisation. The precursors to gametes are generally effective in erasing most methylation marks. However, they are errant, and when dividing by mitosis at low frequencies, epigenetic information may be transmitted to the daughter cells.
This illustrates that not only are you a result of your personal experiences, but there is a possibility that your genes are also affected by the epigenetic markings of your parent's experience.
This means you are a result of you, your experiences (due to epigenetic markings) and possibly the experiences of your parents (due to their epigenetic markings, which you may have carried with you after cell division). This ultimately challenges the simple concept of “genes are set”.
The epigenetic signatures you then carry determine how your genes are presented and how easily a gene can be switched on or off.
Common Misconceptions
A common misconception about epigenetic changes is that they are solely developed through environmental factors. This is not true; although environmental factors have a role in forming epigenetics, epigenetic markers can also form due to internal factors such as the transcription of cells.
Cancer
Another interesting aspect of epigenetics is their relation to cancer. As mentioned, epigenetic changes control the way a gene is portrayed and how easily it can be turned off or on. Cancer is defined by the uncontrolled growth of a person's cells. The issue is that these growing cells do not function as they should. By this, it could signify that genes that should be “off” but are “on” are actively transcribed - this component of having genes “off and on” is where epigenetics plays a role in cancer.
How do I avoid the adverse effects of Epigenetics, and can they be reversed?
The epigenetic signature of a genomic region defines its susceptibility to DNA methylation. Epigenetic markers work by adding a chemical group to your existing DNA, which blocks a protein from reading the gene. Through a process called demethylation, the chemical group can be removed. Methylation turns a gene's reading “off”, while demethylation does the opposite, turning the gene “on”. We claim signatures demonstrate signs of restoring their prior functioning and reversing negative changes. There remains much grey area in evaluating the effectiveness of reversing signatures.
Harvard University best advises one to avoid the adverse effects overall by:
Fostering supportive and responsive relationships
Reducing stress
This ensures that you allow yourself to build a strong and healthy mind from the beginning, pushing you to be less susceptible to the harmful effects of epigenetic signatures.
Bibliography
CDC (2022) What is Epigenetics? | CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/epigenetics.htm (Accessed: 29 November 2023).
Abraham, M.J. et al. (2023) ‘Restoring Epigenetic Reprogramming with Diet and Exercise to Improve Health-Related Metabolic Diseases’, Biomolecules, 13(2), p. 318. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13020318.
Epigenetics.; 2020. Accessed November 13, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=MD3Fc0XOjWk
What is Epigenetics? The Answer to the Nature vs. Nurture Debate. Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. Accessed November 13, 2023. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/what-is-epigenetics-and-how-does-it-relate-to-child-development/
Epigenetic inheritance, and how you live your life could affect your offspring. New Atlas. Published April 12, 2018. Accessed November 13, 2023. https://newatlas.com/epigenetic-inheritance-dna-offspring/54161/
Awesome sauce