Contribution of epigenetics to understand human development Aportes de la epigenética en la comprensión del desarrollo del ser humano

Bedregal P.; Shand, B; Ventura-Junca, P; Santos M.J.

Keywords: development, animals, exposure, pregnancy, physiology, humans, phenotype, human, genetics, delayed, pathophysiology, female, review, genetic, effects, epigenesis, prenatal, animal, Epigenesis,

Abstract

Epigenetics refers to the study of how genes produce their effect on the phenotype of the organism. This article is a review on the scope and importance of recently discovered epigenetic mechanisms on human development and their relationship to perinatal epidemiological issues. It shows a general view and present concepts about epigenetics and its contribution to the comprehension of several physiologic and pathological conditions of human beings. Secondly, it analyzes the evidence coming from epidemiological and animal studies, about the influence of events that occur in the perinatal and early postnatal periods on adult life and the possible epigenetic mechanisms involved. Lastly, it underscores the implications of these results of future research and the design of public policies that take into account the importance of events in early life in the future development of individuals.

Más información

Título de la Revista: REVISTA MEDICA DE CHILE
Volumen: 138
Número: 3
Editorial: Sociedad Médica de Santiago
Fecha de publicación: 2010
Página de inicio: 366
Página final: 372
URL: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-77953627106&partnerID=q2rCbXpz