Epigenetic alteration

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ONC-002897",
  "term": "Epigenetic alteration",
  "field": "Oncology and biomedicine",
  "definitions": [
    "A change in the chemical structure of DNA that does not change the DNA coding sequence. Epigenetic alterations occur in the body when chemical groups called methyl groups are added to or removed from DNA or when changes are made to proteins called histones that bind to the DNA in chromosomes. These changes may occur with age and exposure to environmental factors, such as diet, exercise, drugs, and chemicals. They can affect a person’s risk of disease and may be passed from parent to child. Also called epigenetic variant and epimutation.",
    "A heritable change that does not affect the DNA sequence but results in a change in gene expression. Examples include promoter methylation and histone modifications. Also called epigenetic variant and epimutation."
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    "epigenetic variant",
    "epimutation"
  ],
  "references": [
    "NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms",
    "NCI Dictionary of Genetics Terms"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/oncology/epigenetic-alteration/"
}