Transcriptional gene silencing

Transcriptional gene silencing is a natural process where cells prevent certain genes from being activated. This is achieved by adding chemical markers, called modifications, to the DNA or the proteins (histones) around DNA. These marks make the DNA less accessible to the cell's machinery, which reads genes to produce proteins. Essentially, it’s like putting a lock on specific sections of DNA, ensuring those genes remain inactive. This process helps regulate gene activity, maintain cell identity, and protect the genome from unwanted changes or expression of harmful elements like viruses.