Relationship between Epigenetic Mechanisms and Bioactive Components of Foods

Abstract

With the exploration of DNA in 1953 and the end up of the “Human Genome Project” in 2003, advances in genetics have gained considerable progression. Multidisciplinary study approaches have started to take place in genetic researches. One of these approaches is nutrition and genetics. Epigenetics is the transfer of the gene expression profile to the next generation without any alteration in the DNA base sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms can induce or decrease the expression of genes and are also effective in silencing the genes. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs are basic epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetic modifications are also important for early embryonic development. Recent studies have reported that nutrient components are effective on epigenetic mechanisms. Bioactive components in foods have been of interest for epigenetic research. In this review, chromatin structure, basic epigenetic mechanisms have been explained and studies on nutrient components affecting epigenetic modifications have been given.