About this Research Topic
Epigenetic mechanisms play critical roles in development, physical homeostasis and diseases. As an important mechanism in epigenetic regulation of gene expression, chemical modifications happen on DNA, RNA and histones. DNA methylation at CpG influences nucleosome positioning, chromatin structure and gene transcription. RNA modifications, including m6A, m5C, m7G and m1A, regulate the stability, transportation and interaction of protein factors, leading to dysregulated mRNA translation. Histones are key components of nucleosome, the basic unit of chromosome structure. Post-translational modification, including methylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitylation, and sumoylation, affects DNA packing or interactions with other proteins, leading to gene activation or silencing. Epigenetic modification of non-coding RNAs influences their biogenesis and function in gene regulation. Epigenetic modifications are regulated by various enzymes to add or remove the groups covalently attached to histones or nucleic acids, including DNA methyltransferases, histone acetyltransferases, histone deacetylases, histone methyltransferases, histone demethylases, RNA m6A methyltransferases, demethylases, and m6A-specific binding proteins. Recent advances in multi-omics discovered alteration of epigenetic modifications in neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders. The detailed contribution of epigenetic modifications to neurological diseases have been further investigated by molecular, cellular and model animal experiments. Its upstream regulation and downstream signaling pathways are also been gradually elucidated.
This special issue on Neurogenomics focus on the following aspects:
1. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the etiology of neurological disorders, which are largely mediated by epigenetic modifications.
2. Multi-omics analysis of dysregulated epigenetic modifications during the onset and progression of neurological disorders.
3. The downstream signaling pathways regulated by epigenetic modifications related to neurological disorders.
4. The role of epigenetic modifications on the therapy of neurological disorders.
In this special issue we would like to invite potential authors to submit original research articles, short communication and reviews to the following topics:
1. High throughput sequencing or proteomic analysis of epigenomic modifications on DNA, RNA and histones in the pathogenesis and therapeutic responses of neurological disorders.
2. The molecular mechanism of genetic and environmental factors that regulate the activity of enzymes responsible for epigenomic modifications in neurological disorders by in vitro and in vivo studies.
3. The direct targets and downstream signaling pathways of epigenomic modifications that contribute to neurological disorders identified by animal models, human iPS derived cerebral organoids or clinical patients.
4. The therapeutic potential of genome editing, RNA editing or chemical compounds targeting epigenomic modifications in neurological disorders.
This special issue on Neurogenomics focus on the following aspects:
1. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the etiology of neurological disorders, which are largely mediated by epigenetic modifications.
2. Multi-omics analysis of dysregulated epigenetic modifications during the onset and progression of neurological disorders.
3. The downstream signaling pathways regulated by epigenetic modifications related to neurological disorders.
4. The role of epigenetic modifications on the therapy of neurological disorders.
In this special issue we would like to invite potential authors to submit original research articles, short communication and reviews to the following topics:
1. High throughput sequencing or proteomic analysis of epigenomic modifications on DNA, RNA and histones in the pathogenesis and therapeutic responses of neurological disorders.
2. The molecular mechanism of genetic and environmental factors that regulate the activity of enzymes responsible for epigenomic modifications in neurological disorders by in vitro and in vivo studies.
3. The direct targets and downstream signaling pathways of epigenomic modifications that contribute to neurological disorders identified by animal models, human iPS derived cerebral organoids or clinical patients.
4. The therapeutic potential of genome editing, RNA editing or chemical compounds targeting epigenomic modifications in neurological disorders.
Keywords: epigenomic modification, methylation, acetylation, histone, m6A, multi-omics, neurological disorders
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
