Chromatin in embryonic stem cell neuronal differentiation

Chromatin, the basic regulatory unit of the eukaryotic genetic material, is controlled by epigenetic mechanisms including histone modifications, histone variants, DNA methylation and chromatin remodeling. Cellular differentiation involves large changes in gene expression concomitant with alterations...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inHistology and histopathology Vol. 22; no. 3; p. 311
Main Author Meshorer, E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Spain 01.03.2007
Subjects
Animals
Cell Differentiation - physiology
Chromatin - genetics
Chromatin - metabolism
Embryonic Stem Cells - cytology
Embryonic Stem Cells - physiology
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Histones - metabolism
Humans
Mice
Neurons - cytology
Neurons - physiology
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Chromatin, the basic regulatory unit of the eukaryotic genetic material, is controlled by epigenetic mechanisms including histone modifications, histone variants, DNA methylation and chromatin remodeling. Cellular differentiation involves large changes in gene expression concomitant with alterations in genome organization and chromatin structure. Such changes are particularly evident in self-renewing pluripotent embryonic stem cells, which begin, in terms of cell fate, as a tabula rasa, and through the process of differentiation, acquire distinct identities. Here I describe the changes in chromatin that accompany neuronal differentiation, particularly of embryonic stem cells, and discuss how chromatin serves as the master regulator of cellular destiny.
ISSN:1699-5848
DOI:10.14670/HH-22.311