The Dynamics of Histone Modifications During Mammalian Zygotic Genome Activation

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2024 Feb 10

PMID 38338738

Authors

Francisco Sotomayor-Lugo

Nataly Iglesias-Barrameda

Yandy Marx Castillo-Aleman

Imilla Casado-Hernandez

Carlos Agustin Villegas-Valverde

Antonio Alfonso Bencomo-Hernandez

Yendry Ventura-Carmenate

Rene Antonio Rivero-Jimenez

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Mammalian fertilization initiates the reprogramming of oocytes and sperm, forming a totipotent zygote. During this intricate process, the zygotic genome undergoes a maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) and subsequent zygotic genome activation (ZGA), marking the initiation of transcriptional control and gene expression post-fertilization. Histone modifications are pivotal in shaping cellular identity and gene expression in many mammals. Recent advances in chromatin analysis have enabled detailed explorations of histone modifications during ZGA. This review delves into conserved and unique regulatory strategies, providing essential insights into the dynamic changes in histone modifications and their variants during ZGA in mammals. The objective is to explore recent advancements in leading mechanisms related to histone modifications governing this embryonic development phase in depth. These considerations will be useful for informing future therapeutic approaches that target epigenetic regulation in diverse biological contexts. It will also contribute to the extensive areas of evolutionary and developmental biology and possibly lay the foundation for future research and discussion on this seminal topic.

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