What is DNA methylation?
DNA methylation is an epigenetic change caused by the addition of methyl groups to the cytosine base of DNA by the action of the enzyme DNA methyltransferase.
Let's get to know what epigenetics is. What is Epigenetics?
It is the study of gene function, including the level of gene expression and depends on factors outside the base sequence of the gene, which affect the “on” and “off” of gene expression. Factors that control gene expression include:
- External factors such as the environment.
- Internal factors such as various products generated by cell function.
Epigenetic. So important?
The epigenetic clock is one of the tools used to predict age at the cellular level using data from genetic material, which is very important so that we can plan and take appropriate care of behaviour that affects health, and it is also important to slow down aging and deterioration of the body, as well as reducing the risk of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and psychiatry-related diseases such as depression, schizophrenia, and others.
How to check Epigenetics?
The influence of epigenetics affects gene expression through three main processes:
- DNA methylation
- Histone modification
- RNA-associated silencing
DNA methylation and histone modification are the pre-transcription processes that regulate gene expression. RNA-associated silencing regulates gene expression in both pre- and post-transcription processes. The alls of 3 processes are still considered a temporary and reversed processes. However the occured processes of DNA methylation can be passed from mother to child. This allows the effects to remain in the child cells.
| Gene examination | Epigenetic test |
|---|---|
| It is a genetic code (DNA) test | It is a genetic code (DNA) test Examines factors beyond the genetic code that affect the function of genes |
| Describes genetic defects and abnormalities, based on the genetic characteristics that appear | Provides insight into how various external factors such as lifestyle and diet could affect the genes, and estimates the risk of disease |
| It makes us aware of which diseases our bodies are at risk of developing By testing, know the risk of various diseases. Delve into the body and understand how to change behaviour and make choices to prevent those diseases as appropriate. | By testing, know the risk of various diseases. Delve into the body and understand how to change behaviour and make choices to prevent those diseases as appropriate. |
What is the importance of DNA methylation?
It is involved in regulating gene expression and the genetic characteristics of organisms. The pattern and level of cytosine methylation that occurs in the genome of an organism is associated with changes over genetics and is associated with changes at the cellular level. It is important from growth control to the occurrence of many diseases, such as:
- cancer
- cardiovascular
- diabetes
- psoriasis
- risk of congenital abnormalities
- Down’s syndrome
- infertility
- Parkinson’s disease
Factors that reduce the methylation reaction in the body:
- food
- exercise
- smoking
- alcohol consumption
- exposure to heavy metals
Foods that increase methylation reactions
Vitamin B9 (Folate) levels from food sources, in addition to other co-factors that help stimulate methylation activity, include vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) and Zinc (Zinc).
What is DNA Methylation Test for?
To analyse the role of genes in the methylation pathway, which is an important process in various important body functions, we know the importance of vitamin molecular changes so that we can maintain our overall health and also be screened for cancers such as colorectal cancer and lung cancer.
We can maintain good overall health. It can also screen for cancers such as colon cancer and lung cancer.
Reference:
- Lisa D Moore,Thuc Le and Guoping Fan(2013).DNA methylation and its basic function,neuropsychopharmacology,38,23-38.
- Partha M. Das and Rakesh Singal(2004),DNA methylation and cancer,Journal of Clinical Oncology,22 (22). doi.org
- Tost J (2010).DNA methylation: an introduction to the biology and the disease-associated changes of a promising biomarker,Molecular Biotechnology. 44 (1): 71–81
- scispec.co.th.
