The molecular basis of cell memory in mammals: The epigenetic cycle

Cell memory refers to the capacity of cells to maintain their gene expression program once the initiating environmental signal has ceased. This exceptional feature is key during the formation of mammalian organisms, and it is believed to be in part mediated by epigenetic factors that can endorse cel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science advances 2024-03, Vol.10 (9), p.eadl3188
Main Authors: Espinosa-Martínez, Mencía, Alcázar-Fabra, María, Landeira, David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biomedicine and Life Sciences
Cell Cycle
Cell Differentiation
Chromatin
DNA Methylation
Epigenesis, Genetic
Genetics
Histone Methyltransferases
Histones - genetics
Mammals - genetics
Molecular Biology
Polycomb-Group Proteins
Review
SciAdv reviews
Stem Cells
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Summary:Cell memory refers to the capacity of cells to maintain their gene expression program once the initiating environmental signal has ceased. This exceptional feature is key during the formation of mammalian organisms, and it is believed to be in part mediated by epigenetic factors that can endorse cells with the landmarks required to maintain transcriptional programs upon cell duplication. Here, we review current literature analyzing the molecular basis of epigenetic memory in mammals, with a focus on the mechanisms by which transcriptionally repressive chromatin modifications such as methylation of DNA and histone H3 are propagated through mitotic cell divisions. The emerging picture suggests that cellular memory is supported by an epigenetic cycle in which reversible activities carried out by epigenetic regulators in coordination with cell cycle transition create a multiphasic system that can accommodate both maintenance of cell identity and cell differentiation in proliferating stem cell populations.
ISSN:2375-2548
2375-2548
DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adl3188