Identical Twins Effect with Epigenetics

One can only imagine how frustrating it is for a pair of identical twins to be called the
wrong name constantly. However if one pays close attention then they will notice that
even though a pair of identical twins may look the same, they behave different and have
different interests. In fact, identical twins also grow to look less alike and become
genetically different from each other over their life span, which could be because of
epigenetic factors. However, to understand Epigenetic factors one needs to understand
the flow of DNA (gene) to functional protein because it explains what happens to the
protein when a negative/positive gene is turned on for one twin, but not the other. DNA
is a long molecule that contains our genetic code. The sequences of the DNA codes are
made of four bases (adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine) that code for the type of
protein being made. Like a recipe book it holds the instructions for making all the
proteins in our bodies. Once the DNA gives the instructions the mRNA synthesizes the
protein from the DNA which is called transcription. Once the transcription synthesis is
done, the protein folds its structural shape (at this point every protein has a different 3D
shape) and is called a functional protein that is a protein that went through an amino
acid sequence to develop a unique 3D shape to help the body function. This relates
back to Epigenetics because Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene
expression (the process of a gene leading to the appearance in the phenotype of the
person) that do not involve changes to the suppressed DNA sequence. Epigenetics
result from environmental exposure, dietary habits, surroundings and choice influences.
This is how identical twins are growing genetically different over their life span. For
example, according to an essay published by Robert Roy Britt on July 8, 2005, called
Identical twins Not So Identical, explained that in a research done during 2001 on two
identical twins with different diets, had corresponding differences in blood cholesterol
measures. That same article in 2002 found that identical twins are greatly different with
their levels of emotions, depending on how close one was to their mother or whether
they were social and participated in sports, clubs, attended church, hangouts and trips.
These environmental factors can be a trigger to turning specific genes on that code for
specific and original amino acid sequences. For example, the cancer gene is mostly
triggered by a persons over use of tobacco, or viruses, or UV radiation or even age. If
one identical twins cancer gene turns on it is because one or more genes in a cell are
mutated, or changed. This creates an abnormal protein or no protein at all. It can occur
any time during the transcription (when the information in a genes DNA is transferred to
mRNA). An abnormal protein provides different information compared to a normal
protein, which can cause cells to multiply uncontrollably and become cancerous. This
means the twin has had different exposures in an environment or over use of certain
things. That is why it is possible for one twin only to have the gene turn on. For
example, BRCA which is a gene that suppresses tumours and controls the way cells
grow in certain tissues of the body can be inherited to two identical twins, but it is highly
likely for only one twin to have it turned off. An environmental factor can turn the gene
off which will stop it from producing a protein sequence and from suppressing tumours.
This will eventually result in cancer. In conclusion, that is how epigenetic factors and
gene expression connect to the central dogma. In order to understand one you need to
understand the other since they both effect each other severely. It is also how one
identical twin of the two -despite looking the same- will most likely be diagnosed. This
also proves how identical twins grow genetically different over their life span.

Bibliography

Identical Twins (2016, June 16). Retrieved from

https://www.huggies.com.au/childbirth/multiple-births/twins/identical

From DNA to Protein (2016, March 22). Retrieved from

http://www.unc.edu/depts/our/hhmi/hhmi-
ft_learning_modules/octopusmodule/dnatoprotein.html

Identical Twins Not So Identical (2005, July 8). Retrieved from

http://www.livescience.com/3905-identical-twins-identical.html

Gene Control http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/control/