Stem Cell Epigenetic: DNA Methylation

Stem cells are defined as master cells that have the potential to differentiate into several different cell types. Epigenetics is one of the mechanisms by which stem cells are able to maintain their state of differentiation and respond to extra cellular signals. Epigenetics is defined as the field of study that analyzes changes in the DNA without changes in DNA sequence. The state of the DNA and chromatin and their conformation in three-dimensional space is the critical determining factor. The conformation of DNA alters the potential for proteins to bind. In the case of transcription regulators, such as activators and repressors, a change in the structure of the DNA can prevent or allow binding. Controlling binding of transcription factors and repressors allows the cells to ...