RallyValley Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Just studying for my exams and it got me thinking, is there any studies of epigenetics in dogs? Just fascinating stuff! has to be my fav subject, can't wait to look at it further in later years! For anyone curious google 'Ghost in your Genes' a free documentary on you-tube that explains it much better then I could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kia Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 RallyValley are you talking about the genetics associated with epilepsy? There are major studies in the USA currently looking into this. It is restricted to a few breeds at this stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkySoaringMagpie Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 People have written about it but I don't know of any actual studies. I think it's fascinating as a concept, Kia, it's about environmental influences on genetics (put very roughly, I am no geneticist) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyValley Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share Posted May 21, 2011 RallyValley are you talking about the genetics associated with epilepsy? There are major studies in the USA currently looking into this. It is restricted to a few breeds at this stage. Epigenetics is a layer on top of the DNA that is only found in mammals, it's markers along the nuclear DNA that switch genes on or off. They are a relatively recent discovery and the most interesting thing is that your epigenetics are changed by events in your life and are passed on to your children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren ect. They have found links between grandparents who lived through famine and grandchildren with diabetes. Also Angelmans and Prader Willi syndromes are the same mutation, very different diseases, which one you get is from the epigenetic imprint you get from your parents. I have not heard of eplilepsy being linked to epigenetics but it is possibly, is this what you mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyValley Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share Posted May 21, 2011 People have written about it but I don't know of any actual studies. I think it's fascinating as a concept, Kia, it's about environmental influences on genetics (put very roughly, I am no geneticist) Thanks SSM! Yes I really got my geek on reading all about it! Might email one of my professors later and ask (she had written papers on canine genetics and has a passion for epigenetics so should know of any ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kia Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 I hadn't heard of epigenetics......just thought it was a typo Now you have me curious.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyValley Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share Posted May 21, 2011 Here is the first part of 5 of a doco about it on Youtube It's a BBC doc for the general public, not too much into the chemicals/mechanisms of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Great Documentary that explains it all very well. They have known for a few years that Vietnam veterans that were exposed to agent orange and had their dna affected, have passedon the problems to their children and grandchildren. Fascinatiing though to hear that diet and stress can also cause ongoign issues. I haven't heard of any studies in dogs but they would be great species for someone to study. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Hey, could someone please clarify this for people who don't have sufficient bandwitdth to view U-tube. Thanx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MalteseLuna Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Epigenetics is where DNA methylation can affect whether certain genes (or sets of genes) are turned "on" or "off". The methylation stops the transcription factors from binding to the DNA (transcription factors cause the DNA to be transcribed to RNA and then translated to protein), it could also cause the DNA to form a secondary structure inhibiting transcription factors from binding to the DNA in a whole region (making whole sets of genes "off"). It is absolutely fascinating. It is thought that some diseases where a specific mutation cannot be found could be caused by DNA methylation inhibiting gene expression. It is quite complex! It is like a different level of genetics and it is heritable (to a degree at least). Methylation in an upstream part of the DNA can inhibit gene expression downstream for quite a distance, it can also cause alternative splicing (i.e. instead of exon 1, 2, 3 you might get exon 1'A, 2 and 3 expressed...). I don't know of any studies on dogs specifically although they have done some studies on humans so far I think. If your lecturer/professor points you to some papers I would be interested in reading them as well (I'm a genetics major PhD student working on wild canids). Wikipedia might have some good general information for people wanting to know more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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