Chen Jianhua

He University

Abstract：

Epigenetic modifications refer to heritable chemical alterations that do not change the DNA sequence but can regulate gene expression. They primarily include four major categories: DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNA regulation, and chromatin remodeling. By dynamically regulating chromatin structure and gene transcriptional activity, these modifications participate in various physiological processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Abnormalities in epigenetic modifications can lead to gene expression dysregulation, thereby inducing various human diseases including tumors, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of epigenetics research, epigenetic modifications have emerged as novel biomarkers for disease diagnosis and potential therapeutic targets, demonstrating immense application potential in early disease screening, precision diagnosis, personalized treatment, and prognosis assessment. This article systematically reviews the main types and mechanisms of epigenetic modifications, focusing on their application value, research progress, and existing challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, providing theoretical references and insights for subsequent fundamental epigenetic research and clinical translation.

Key Words：

epigenetic modifications; DNA methylation; histone modification; non-coding RNA; disease diagnosis; targeted therapy