The epigenome is a heritable layer of information not encoded in the DNA sequence of the genome, but in chemical modifications of DNA or histones. These chemical modifications, together with transcription factors, operate as spatiotemporal regulators of genome activity. Dissecting epigenome function requires controlled site-specific alteration of epigenetic information. Such control can be obtained using designed DNA-binding platforms associated with effector domains to function as targeted transcription factors or epigenetic modifiers. Here, we review the use of dCas9 as a novel and versatile tool for fundamental studies on epigenetic landscapes, chromatin structure and transcription regulation, and the potential of this approach in basic research in these fields.

中文翻译：

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dCas9：表观基因组编辑的多功能工具。


表观基因组是可遗传的信息层，不是在基因组的 DNA 序列中编码，而是在 DNA 或组蛋白的化学修饰中编码。这些化学修饰与转录因子一起充当基因组活性的时空调节剂。剖析表观基因组功能需要表观遗传信息的受控位点特异性改变。这种控制可以通过设计与效应域相关的 DNA 结合平台来实现，以充当目标转录因子或表观遗传修饰剂。在这里，我们回顾了 dCas9 作为一种新颖且多功能的工具在表观遗传景观、染色质结构和转录调控基础研究中的应用，以及该方法在这些领域基础研究中的潜力。