Epigenetic modifications in cardiovascular disease |
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Authors: | Johan M Lorenzen Filippo Martino Thomas Thum |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany;(2) Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany;(3) Centre for Clinical and Basic Research, IRCCS San Raffaele, Rome, Italy |
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Abstract: | Epigenetics represents a phenomenon of altered heritable phenotypic expression of genetic information occurring without changes
in DNA sequence. Epigenetic modifications control embryonic development, differentiation and stem cell (re)programming. These
modifications can be affected by exogenous stimuli (e.g., diabetic milieu, smoking) and oftentimes culminate in disease initiation.
DNA methylation has been studied extensively and represents a well-understood epigenetic mechanism. During this process cytosine
residues preceding a guanosine in the DNA sequence are methylated. CpG-islands are short-interspersed DNA sequences with clusters
of CG sequences. The abnormal methylation of CpG islands in the promoter region of genes leads to a silencing of genetic information
and finally to alteration of biological function. Emerging data suggest that these epigenetic modifications also impact on
the development of cardiovascular disease. Histone modifications lead to the modulation of the expression of genetic information
through modification of DNA accessibility. In addition, RNA-based mechanisms (e.g., microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs) influence
the development of disease. We here outline the recent work pertaining to epigenetic changes in a cardiovascular disease setting. |
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