Genetics - A. V. Sivolob 2008

Genetics of Multicellular Eukaryotes
Epigenetic Inheritance

The large size of the eukaryotic genome (up to half of which consists of repetitive sequences) requires systems that ensure the guaranteed inactivation of a significant portion of the genetic material. Furthermore, the inactivated state of both non-coding DNA and a large portion of genes in specific Cell types must be faithfully reproduced in daughter Cells following mitosis.

The inheritance of such a tissue-specific repression system (while preserving the Organism's complete genetic program) is referred to as Epigenetic Inheritance. It is based on the transmission to descendant cells not merely of the parental DNA, but of Chromatin together with specific chemical markers (see Chapter 1)—namely, patterns of post-translational histone modifications and DNA Methylation. These markers are recognized by specific Proteins that engage in diverse interactions with METABOLISM/31.html">Transcription repressors and corepressors, Enzymes mediating post-translational modifications, and proteins that further compact the chromatin fiber. Primarily, such systems operate in heterochromatin regions—parts of chromatin that maintain a high degree of compaction throughout interphase. Examples of constitutive heterochromatin (formed in all cells) include the telomeric and centromeric regions of Chromosomes, as well as one of the X chromosomes in female mammals. Other heterochromatin zones are specific to particular cell types.



Last update: 11/08/2026

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