I’ve been more interested in histones and their modifications versus DNA methylation when it comes to epigenetics and chromatin.
In part this has just been because I have studied histones so much more. For example, we have been knocking out the two histone variant H3.3 genes, H3f3a and H3f3b, now for a decade.
My lab also is studying H3.3 mutations in childhood high-grade glioma like H3 K27M. For a recent review of the role of K27M in glioma, I recommend this article by the wonderful Suzy Baker: Oncohistones and disrupted development in pediatric-type diffuse high-grade glioma.
However, of course, DNA methylation is extremely important too.
For example, I just wrote earlier this week about the roles of DNA methylation in so-called epigenetic clocks. DNA methylation is also crucial in a vast array of other functions. Here are some recent notable articles in this area.
DNA methylation this week
- A ‘memory wipe’ for stem cells may be the key to better therapies, The Conversation. This is an interesting piece, but doesn’t dive into details like DNA methylation or histone modifications. So I recommend going to the source article in Nature: Transient naive reprogramming corrects hiPS cells functionally and epigenetically. Cool stuff.
- CRISPR/dCas9 DNA methylation editing is heritable during human hematopoiesis and shapes immune progeny, PNAS.
- Integrative multi-omic cancer profiling reveals DNA methylation patterns associated with therapeutic vulnerability and cell-of-origin, Cancer Cell.
- Epigenome-wide analysis identifies methylome profiles linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder, disease severity, and treatment response, Mol Psychiatry.
More stem cell & regenerative medicine reads
- Scientists want to fix tooth decay with stem cells, The Economist. For more background, I have a fun post on stem cells and teeth including lessons from sharks, who constantly regrow their teeth.
- Adrenergic nerves regulate intestinal regeneration through IL-22 signaling from type 3 innate lymphoid cells, Cell Stem Cell.