Epigenetics and Its Clinical Implications for Genetic Counseling: Lynch Syndrome as a Model.

摘要

Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. The mechanisms discussed are DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA interference. I present what is known about the molecular basis of these regulators and discuss their role in the development and treatment of disease in humans and animals. New research in epigenetics holds significant implications for the field of genetic counseling. Lynch syndrome is discussed as a model because epigenetic knowledge has already had strong influences on the identification and care of patients and families with this cancer syndrome.