What is the Origin of H19/IGF2 Locus?

The concept of this locus originated with the discovery that the expression of IGF2 and H19 was dependent on the parent from which the allele was inherited, a phenomenon known as genomic imprinting. It was one of the first and most thoroughly studied imprinted regions in the mammalian genome. The term describes the physical location of these two closely linked genes and their shared regulatory elements on the chromosome.

What is the Mechanism of H19/IGF2 Locus?

The mechanism of control is mediated by an Imprinting Control Region (ICR) located upstream of the H19 gene, which possesses a differential methylation pattern between the parental alleles. On the paternal chromosome, the ICR is methylated, which prevents the binding of the CTCF insulator protein, allowing a shared enhancer element to activate the paternal IGF2 gene while silencing H19. Conversely, on the maternal chromosome, the unmethylated ICR binds CTCF, which blocks the enhancer's access to IGF2, thereby allowing only the maternal H19 gene to be expressed.

H19/IGF2 Locus

Meaning

The H19/IGF2 Locus is a critical region on human chromosome 11 that exemplifies genomic imprinting, a precise form of epigenetic regulation essential for proper fetal development and postnatal growth. This locus contains two reciprocally imprinted genes: Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2), which is a potent growth-promoting hormone, and H19, which encodes a non-coding RNA. The coordinated, parent-of-origin-specific expression of these two genes maintains a delicate balance in cellular proliferation and growth. Dysregulation of this locus is clinically associated with various growth disorders and an increased risk for certain cancers.

Patients perform restorative movement on mats, signifying a clinical wellness protocol. This practice supports hormone optimization, metabolic health, and cellular function, crucial for endocrine balance and stress modulation within the patient journey, promoting overall wellbeing and vitality.

Can Positive Lifestyle Changes like Exercise Also Be Passed down Epigenetically?

Positive lifestyle choices like exercise can be passed down by altering the epigenetic marks on parental DNA, influencing offspring's metabolic health.

∞ DNA Methylation
∞ Physical Activity
∞ Imprinted Genes