Problems with DNA Replication Can Cause Epigenetic Changes that May Be Inherited for Several Generations
Published:25 Aug.2017 Source:Science Daily
Scientists reveal that a fault in the process that copies DNA during cell division can cause epigenetic changes that may be inherited for up-to five generations. They also identified the cause of these epigenetic changes, which is related to the loss of a molecular mechanism in charge of silencing genes.
Cell division is key for renewing the cells in our tissues and organs. There are two particular processes in which cell division is crucial, embryonic development and tumorigenesis. A fault in the process that copies DNA during cell division can cause genetic changes, so impaired DNA replication is a well-known cancer hallmark and a driver of genomic instability.