13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

What is the evidence that epigenetic changes are involved in cancer?

How do we know how methylation of promoters silences gene expression?

How do we know that microRNAs negatively regulate target mRNAs?

Write a short essay describing how epigenetic changes in cancer cells contribute to the development and maintenance of cancers.

What is meant by the term chromatin remodeling? Describe the importance of this process to transcription.

What are the major mechanisms of epigenetic genome modification?

What general role does acetylation of histone protein amino acids play in the transcription of eukaryotic genes?

Provide a definition of chromatin remodeling, and give two examples of this phenomenon.

What parts of the genome are reversibly methylated? How does this affect gene expression?

Identical twins each carry the same genome, but over time, can develop different phenotypes. How can you explain this?

What are the possible roles of proteins in histone modification?

What are the roles of the Polycomb and Trithorax complexes in eukaryotic gene regulation?

Provide a brief description of two different types of histone modification and how they impact transcription.

Describe how reversible chemical changes to DNA and histones are linked to chromatin modification.

Why are changes in nucleosome spacing important in changing gene expression?