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Editing the Epigenome: Overview, Open Questions, and Directions of Future Development

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Epigenome Editing

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1767))

Abstract

The introduction of CRISPR/Cas has resulted in a strong impulse for the field of gene-targeted epigenome reprogramming. In this approach EpiEditors are applied in cells, which consist of a DNA-binding part for targeting and a functional part to induce chromatin modifications at targeted genome loci. The accumulating evidence of epigenetic reprogramming of a given genomic locus resulting in gene expression changes indicated causal relationships of epigenetic marks instructing gene expression and opened the field for mainstream applications. In this perspective, an overview of the current status of the field is provided, including its applications and future perspectives. The dependence of critical parameters like specificity, effectivity, and sustainability of epigenome editing on experimental settings and conditions including the expression levels and the duration of the expression of the EpiEditors, their DNA-binding affinity and specificity, and the cross talk between EpiEditors and cellular chromatin modifiers is discussed. Once established in fully functional “plug-and-play” mode, epigenome editing will allow to better understand epigenetic expression control and to translate such knowledge into therapeutic tools.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Marianne G. Rots

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Stuttgart, Germany

    Albert Jeltsch

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  1. Marianne G. Rots
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  2. Albert Jeltsch
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Correspondence to Albert Jeltsch .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Stuttgart, Germany

    Albert Jeltsch

  2. Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Marianne G. Rots

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Rots, M.G., Jeltsch, A. (2018). Editing the Epigenome: Overview, Open Questions, and Directions of Future Development. In: Jeltsch, A., Rots, M. (eds) Epigenome Editing. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1767. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7774-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7774-1_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7773-4

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