ABSTRACT

Many factors intricately regulate the expression of genes responsible for development and growth. Aberrations in their expression can result in growth and developmental abnormalities, including cancer. Initially, the understanding was that mutations in the genome, i.e., variations in the DNA sequence, were the primary reason [1-3]. However, recent advances have proven, otherwise. Epigenetic mechanisms modifying gene expression without affecting the DNA sequence are heritable and can perpetuate altered phenotypes as well.