In contrast, in a model of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), Park et al. reported not only DNA methylation but also histone acetylation and histone methylation as a cascade of epigenetic events leading to silencing of Pdx1 and consequently decreased Pdx1 expression, impaired insulin secretion and the onset of diabetes in adult rats (25). The gene discussed is PDX1; the disease is diabetes mellitus.