Chromatin Signaling and Diseases

Chromatin Signaling and Diseases, Second Edition, a volume in the Translational Epigenetics series, covers the molecular mechanisms that regulate gene expression, which governs embryonic development, growth, and human pathologies associated with aging, such as cancer. Although human genome sequencing continues to improve, molecular mechanisms regulating gene expression remain largely misunderstood. The impact of gene expression defects associated with malfunctioning chromatin signaling are considered in this update. In addition, this new edition has addresses developments in the field, from phase separation of membrane-less organelles and local segregation of factors to chromatinization of naked foreign DNA and cancer evolution as regulated by chromatin signaling.

Chromatin signaling proposes that small protein domains recognize chemical modifications on the genome scaffolding histone proteins, facilitating the nucleation of enzymatic complexes at specific loci that then open up or shut down the access to genetic information, thereby regulating gene expression. The addition and removal of chemical modifications on histones, as well as the proteins that specifically recognize these are also considered.

• Educates clinicians and researchers about chromatin signaling, a molecular mechanism that is changing our understanding of human pathology
• Explores the addition and removal of chemical modifications on histones, the proteins that specifically recognize these, and the impact of gene expression defects associated with malfunctioning chromatin signaling
• Addresses new and evolving topics in the field, including the chromatinization of naked foreign DNA, phase separation and chromatin, and chromatin signaling and cancer evolution
• Includes chapter contributions from leading international researchers in the field