Vitamins and epigenetics

This chapter focuses on the role of vitamins with a recognized function in modulating epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetics refers to the complex of somatically heritable states that regulate gene expression resulting from modifications in DNA and chromatin structure that occur without alterations in the DNA sequence. Epigenetic phenomena include DNA methylation, posttranslational histone modifications, chromatin remodeling mechanisms, and the role of small noncoding RNA. Folate, namely vitamin B9, is a major player in the link between vitamins and epigenetics because it is responsible for the transport of methyl groups for the methylation of DNA, one of the most significant epigenetic phenomena. While pathologic conditions are associated with severe vitamin deficiency, it is now known that even mild vitamin deficiencies, especially of the hydrosoluble B group, are related to the impairment of epigenetic features of DNA. Vitamin A status is also associated with the modification of DNA methylation and other epigenetic phenomena at histone tails sites.