Back to search
epigenetic alteration
A chemical or structural alteration that modifies how genes are turned on or off, but without changing the original DNA sequence. These changes act as molecular tags on the genome, can be heritable, and are heavily influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors. 
Grammatical category Noun
Field Genetics
Level of specialization High
Definition source Instituto Nacional del Cáncer
Variants
Synonym
epigenetic variant
Formal
epimutation
Formal
Equivalents

Spanish

alteración epigenética

Valenciano

alteració epigenètica
Examples
Epigenetic alterations such as DNA aberrant methylation and miRNA regulation has been recognised as characteristic events in malignant transformations and their study allow us to understand the molecular bases of cancer.
With the aim of reversing the epigenetic alterations that trigger disease-specific events, several epigenetic therapies have been developed based on both untargeted and targeted approaches.
Collocations
WITH ADJECTIVES
pronounced | specific epigenetic alterations

WITH NOUNS
profile of | implications of epigenetic alterations

WITH VERBS
epigenetic alterations affect | include | occur || involve

affect | detect in | involve in | trigger epigenetic alterations