Epigenetics: What it is about?

TL;DR

This paper reviews the evolving definition of epigenetics, clarifies key concepts, and discusses the role of epigenetic information in evolution, genetic protection, and cell differentiation.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of epigenetics, clarifies core concepts, and proposes evolutionary perspectives on the role of epigenetic information.

Findings

Epigenetics definitions have evolved over time.

Epigenetic information plays a role in protecting genetic data.

Epigenetic mechanisms were recruited for cell differentiation after their initial evolutionary role.

Abstract

Epigenetics has captured the attention of scientists in the past decades, yet its scope has been continuously changing. In this paper, we give an overview on how and why its definition has evolved and suggest several clarification on the concepts used in this field, in particular, on the notions of epigenetic information, epigenetic stability and epigenetic templating. Another issue that we address is the role of epigenetic information. Not only it is important in allowing alternative interpretations of genetic information, but it appears to be important in protecting the genetic information, moreover, we suggest that this function appeared first in evolution and only later on the epigenetic mechanisms were recruited to play a role in cell differentiation.