Epigenetic Modifications

Targeting a gene for epigenetic modification by a transcription factor. In some cases, transcription factors may bind to a specific gene and initiate a series of events that leads to an epigenetic modification. For example, particular transcription factors in stem cells initiate epigenetic modifications that cause the cells to follow a specific pathway of development. For this to occur, the transcription factors recognize specific sites in the genome and recruit proteins to those sites, such as histone-modifying enzymes and DNA methyltransferase. This recruitment leads to epigenetic changes, such as changes in chromatin structure and DNA methylation. Please go through the diagram for the illustration.