Methylation, Nutrition and Epigenetics

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to methylation, nutrition, and epigenetics as per the lecture notes.

Vitamin

An essential micronutrient that serves as a cofactor for enzymes and can be fat and water soluble.

Epigenome

The complete set of epigenetic modifications on the genomic DNA.

Folate

A water-soluble type of Vitamin B found primarily in green leafy vegetables and legumes.

DNA Methylation

A biochemical process by which methyl groups are added to the DNA molecule, often influencing gene expression.

SNP

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, a variation in a single nucleotide that occurs at a specific position in the genome.

Hypermethylation

An increase in the methylation of DNA, which can lead to gene silencing.

Methylation Donor

S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), a compound that donates methyl groups to various substrates.

Agouti Gene

A gene that affects pigmentation and is influenced by methylation patterns.

CpG Islands

Regions of DNA where a cytosine nucleotide is followed by a guanine nucleotide linked by a phosphate, often correlated with gene regulation.

Transcription Factor

Proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences, controlling the rate of transcription of genetic information.

Folic Acid vs Folate

Folic acid is a synthetic form of Vitamin B that must undergo transformations to be utilized, whereas folate refers to the natural forms of the vitamin.

Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)

Congenital malformations of the spine and brain that can be influenced by maternal folate levels.

Hyperhomocysteinemia

Elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood, often linked to folate deficiency.

MTHFR

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, an enzyme involved in folate metabolism and methylation.

Dihydrofolate Reductase

An enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, critical in folate metabolism.

Sulfonamides

A class of antibiotics that inhibit folate metabolism in microorganisms.

Histone Modification

The addition or removal of chemical groups to histone proteins, affecting gene expression.

Demethylation

The removal of methyl groups from DNA, which can reactivate silenced genes.