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We have an extensive discussion in this article about the meaning of the word "epigenetics." Although we could quibble about various definitions, the general consensus is that the word refers to reversible histone and DNA modifications. That's the view that's reflected in the figure at the top of the page.
It's not a good idea to change the lead in order to insert a different definition. We need to agree on how we define epigenetics in this article.
Nobody has presented credible evidence for the inheritance of histone modifications across multiple generations and there is considerable debate about whether epigenetic DNA methylations are truly heritable in the sense that they might play a role in evolution. We are not doing our readers any favors by presenting only one side of this story.
The main controversy in the field of epigenetics is whether histone and DNA markers are an independent cause of gene regulation or merely a consequence of transcription factor binding. The idea that gene regulation in complex eukaryotes is mostly due to transcription factors recognizing specific DNA sequences, as in bacteria, is known as the recruitment model and it conflicts with many descriptions of epigenetics in the scientific literature and in the popular press. You may disagree with Ptashne's interpretation but that's not the point. We should not be writing this article as though the common popular beliefs were proven facts.
Here's an old blog post of mine that generated a great deal of discussion. I'm not posting it here as an authoritative definition of epigenetics - it's sole purpose is to alert people to the controversy over how to define the word.
Nobody has presented credible evidence for the inheritance of histone modifications across multiple generations and there is considerable debate about whether epigenetic DNA methylations are truly heritable in the sense that they might play a role in evolution. We are not doing our readers any favors by presenting only one side of this story.
Agree with this. It's unfortunate that the article doesn't have more expert attention. Zenomonoz (talk) 09:18, 27 August 2024 (UTC)
Some formal suggestions
Chapter "mechanisms": "reciprocal relationship between DNA methylation and histone lysine methylation" seems in fact not to be reciprocal but "correlation between ...."
Chapter "RNA methylation": RNA methylation of adenosine to N6-methyladenosine
Chapter "histone modifications": gene transcription instead of transcriptional gene expression
Chapter "prions": Which yeast is referred to in paragraph 2 if not S. cerevisiae?
Chapter "molecular basis": DNA sequence instead of genetic code sequence
Chapter "DNA damage": V. myrtillus, not myrtillius!
Chapter "repair of oxidative...": 6. paragraph: add "DNA" to DNA polymerase
Chapter "memory": "EGR1 binds to DNA" is repeated within 5. paragraph; is the given sequence the promoter/enhancer or part of those?
Chapter "other and general": add "see above" after "memory"; add "those" to "events, including those during embryonic..."; cancel "and to" in "brain evolution in humans"
Chapter "development": close bracket after "histones [158]"; add "of mice" (?) after "dietary supplementation"; "rather than DNA sequence changes" instead of "rather than in DNA itself"
Chapter "UBASH3B": cancel "and" in "as well as BMI"
cheers,
Wolfgang WolfGreg9 (talk) 20:52, 25 August 2024 (UTC)
If you are able to make the changes it would be good. Zenomonoz (talk) 09:19, 27 August 2024 (UTC)
I never did that. What do I have to do to become an editor?
Wolfgang WolfGreg9 (talk) 14:05, 29 August 2024 (UTC)
History
The page currently says that "In scientific publications, the term epigenetics started to appear in the 1930s". However, Newman, 1928 already mentioned "epigenetic left-handedness". Should this be addressed? Mateussf (talk) 22:01, 8 May 2025 (UTC)
Single egg cell continues to divide
The bottom of the lead states " In other words, as a single fertilized egg cell – the zygote – continues to divide, the resulting daughter cells develop into...". This is incorrect. Once the zygote has divided, it is by definition NOT a zygote. That is, it doesn't "continue" to do anything; it doesn't "continue" at all. The two (resulting) daughter cells divide, and those 4 (grand)daughter cells divide, and on and on. There is not a "central", "main", "original" nor "oldest" cell in the blastomere (in its two cell state). As it continues to develop, cells begin to function differently (differentiate). ~2026-92463-4 (talk) 08:53, 11 February 2026 (UTC)
This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 13 January 2026 and 1 May 2026. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Adamarysramirez(article contribs).
— Assignment last updated by Gtorres13 (talk) 03:56, 20 April 2026 (UTC)
