Editorial: Epigenomic and epitranscriptomic basis of development and human disease

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Shunliang Xu, Shandong Univ; Zhao-Qian Teng, Chinese Acad Sci; Li Xuekun, Zhejiang University; Yujing Li, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-02-20
• Publisher: FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2023 Xu, Teng, Li and Li.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2023.1128745
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
• Volume: 11
• Start Page: 1128745
• End Page: 1128745
• Keywords: Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Science & Technology; histone modifications; Developmental Biology; epitranscriptomics; Cell Biology; development; base modifications; epigenomics; human disease
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Dynamic and precise regulation of gene expression is orchestrated genetically and epigenetically in accordance with developmental stages and in response to environment stimuli. Aberrant genetic or epigenetic events could devastate gene expression, contributing to pathogenesis of disease. Epigenetic markers of base modifications such as 5-cytosine (5-mC), 5-hydroxycytosine (5-hmC) and adenosine methylation m6A have been appreciated as of the well-characterized and the most important epigenetic/epitranscriptomic markers essentially functional in almost all the biological process of mammals. The main components in the machine complexes responsible for generation and functions of these epi-markers have been characterized in recent years. These components display tissue-specific and delicate spatiotemporal patterns, and their fine-tuned orchestration contributes to the precise and dynamic regulation of the epigenomic and the epitranscriptomic landscapes, ensuring the normal growth, development, and reproduction. More importantly, the emerging evidence links the aberrant regulation of these epi-markers to pathogenesis of multiple diseases, potentially translatable to clinical applications for therapy.