On the use of the word 'epigenetic' Journal Article


Author: Ptashne, M.
Article Title: On the use of the word 'epigenetic'
Abstract: Over the past few years we have seen an odd change, or extension, in the use of the word 'epigenetic' when describing matters of gene regulation in eukaryotes. Although it may generally be that it is not worth arguing over definitions, this is true only insofar as the participants in the discussion know what each other means. I believe the altered use of the term carries baggage from the standard definition that can have misleading implications. Here I wish to probe our use of language in this way, and to show how such a discussion leads to some more general considerations concerning gene regulation. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: methylation; animal; metabolism; animals; dna methylation; gene expression regulation; eukaryota; histone; epigenesis, genetic; short survey; genetic epigenesis; histones; acetylation; nucleosome; nucleosomes; semantics
Journal Title: Current Biology
Volume: 17
Issue: 7
ISSN: 0960-9822
Publisher: Cell Press  
Date Published: 2007-04-03
Start Page: R233
End Page: R236
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2007.02.030
PUBMED: 17407749
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 97" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "CODEN: CUBLE" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Mark Ptashne
    61 Ptashne