Epigenetic Markers are chemical modifications to DNA or its associated proteins, such as histones, that alter gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence itself. These markers act as an interface between the environment, including lifestyle and hormonal status, and the genome, effectively turning genes ‘on’ or ‘off.’ The cumulative pattern of these markers is a critical determinant of biological age and disease risk. They are a measure of gene plasticity.
Origin
The term ‘epigenetics’ is derived from the Greek prefix epi, meaning ‘upon’ or ‘above,’ indicating a layer of control ‘above’ the genetic code. The concept of markers refers to the specific, measurable chemical tags, like DNA methylation or histone acetylation, that carry this regulatory information. This field has revolutionized the understanding of gene-environment interaction.
Mechanism
Hormones exert a profound influence on epigenetic markers by binding to nuclear receptors, which then recruit co-activator or co-repressor proteins that mediate changes in chromatin structure. For example, glucocorticoids can alter gene expression profiles via epigenetic mechanisms, linking the stress response directly to long-term cellular programming and physiological adaptation. This process provides a mechanism for lifestyle factors to impact gene function.
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