Overview of cancer epigenetics

被引：61

作者：

Jones, PA

机构：

[1] Univ So Calif, Keck Sch Med, Norris Comprehens Canc Ctr, Dept Urol, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA

[2] Univ So Calif, Keck Sch Med, Norris Comprehens Canc Ctr, Dept Biochem, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA

[3] Univ So Calif, Keck Sch Med, Norris Comprehens Canc Ctr, Dept Mol Biol, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA

来源：

SEMINARS IN HEMATOLOGY | 2005年 / 42卷 / 03期

关键词：

D O I：

10.1053/j.seminhematol.2005.05.001

中图分类号：

R5 [内科学];

学科分类号：

1002 ; 100201 ;

摘要：

Epigenetic mechanisms including DNA and histone modifications result in silencing of genes without changing the coding sequence of the gene. Even though these events are heritable, they are potentially reversible, thus opening up opportunities for therapeutic intervention. The importance of epigenetic changes in human cancer is only now being recognized in the medical community. A series of discoveries over the last four decades has thrust epigenetics into the forefront of new drug discoveries. Three systems - DNA methylation, RNA-associated silencing, and histone modification - are used to initiate and sustain epigenetic silencing. Current knowledge suggests that agents that intervene in this process by "turning back on" silenced genes may represent a significant advancement in treating many forms of cancer. In addition, changed patterns of methylation can be detected with a high degree of sensitivity thus providing clinicians with prognostic information. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

引用

页码：S3 / S8

页数：6

共 83 条

[61] Transcriptional repression by the methyl-CpG-binding protein MeCP2 involves a histone deacetylase complex [J].