Epigenetics
Japanese: エピジェネティクス
The phenomenon and field of study where gene expression patterns change without alterations in DNA sequence. DNA methylation and histone modification are the primary mechanisms.
Epigenetics is the field dealing with changes in how genes are used without altering the DNA sequence itself. If the genome is a musical score, epigenetics corresponds to the manner of performance. The same score can yield different performances.
Through DNA methylation and chemical modifications of histones, specific genes become easier to read or are silenced. Environmental conditions—temperature, nutrition, stress—influence these modifications.
In koji mold research, it has been reported that enzyme production patterns change dramatically depending on culture conditions, even with the same genome. This suggests the involvement of epigenetic regulation.
Genes are not fixed destiny but expressions that change through dialogue with the environment. Epigenetics teaches us about the flexibility of life.