Epigenetic inheritance during the cell cycle.

Studies that concern the mechanism of DNA replication have provided a major framework for understanding genetic transmission through multiple cell cycles. Recent work has begun to gain insight into possible means to ensure the stable transmission of information beyond just DNA, and has led to the concept of epigenetic inheritance. Considering chromatin-based information, key candidates have arisen as epigenetic marks, including DNA and histone modifications, histone variants, non-histone chromatin proteins, nuclear RNA as well as higher-order chromatin organization. Understanding the dynamics and stability of these marks through the cell cycle is crucial in maintaining a given chromatin state.