Epigenetic control of the genome involves a complex series of unique, physiologically responsive and integrated pathways, each with distinct mechanisms. Insight into epigenetic regulation has transformed understanding of inheritance, development and a broad spectrum of biological processes as well as advances in mechanistic and clinical characterization of tissues and disease states. The dynamics of bone tissue undergoing continuous remodeling during growth and turnover in the adult skeleton, involves epigenetic mechanisms that have emerged as an important component to maintaining skeletal homeostasis. A series of four reviews are presented in the journal BONE covering different aspects of epigenetic control mechanisms that have impacted on the skeleton. Authorship on each of the reviews is shared by investigators from different institutions to present a consensus of emerging concepts and future directions for understanding regulation of the bone epigenome and skeletal pathologies.
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