Epigenética : Um estudo de revisão bibliográfica sobre seus mecanismos de atuação na regulação da expressão gênica em eucariotos

Abstract

Epigenetics is the science that acts on the activation and deactivation of genes through different mechanisms. These mechanisms occur at the molecular level without interfering with the nucleotide chain of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA). As an example of the main mechanisms that occur in eukaryotic organisms, we have DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of histones. As an example of the main mechanisms that occur in eukaryotic organisms, we have DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of histones. The set of these modifications will give rise to what we know as the epigenome. The epigenome arises as a result of interactions between the genome and the environment that can lead to several different phenotypes. To understand how these mechanisms occur, it is necessary to study epigenetics through its mechanisms. Therefore, this work has as main objective to understand the importance of epigenetics regarding its mechanisms that act in the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic organisms. The method used to carry out the research was that of a bibliographic review, which resulted in 43 works in this epistemological line, which includes articles, books, theses and dissertations that were reviewed and cited in this research, with the data obtained being of great relevance for the understanding of non-genetic modifications that occur in eukaryotic organisms, as well as the role that this science plays in the study of diseases, biological, ecological and evolutionary processes, among others. Keywords: 1. Epigenetics; 2. Gene expression; 3. Epigenetic inheritance; 4. Epigenetic mechanisms.