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Methylation, gene expression and the chromatin connection in cancer (review)

S G Gray1, T Eriksson, T J Ekström

  • 1Laboratory for Molecular Development and Tumor Biology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Hospital, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.

International Journal of Molecular Medicine
|September 24, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Gene expression regulation is altered in tumors via DNA methylation and histone acetylation. These epigenetic modifications, involving histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), are implicated in cancer development, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics and Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Cellular gene expression regulation mechanisms are frequently altered in tumors.
  • DNA packaging and modification, including cytosine methylation and histone acetylation, control transcription.
  • Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) regulate chromatin acetylation, impacting gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of current knowledge on DNA methylation and histone acetylation in cancer.
  • To explore the role of epigenetic modifications in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on epigenetic mechanisms in cancer.
  • Analysis of the interplay between DNA methylation and histone acetylation.
  • Focus on histone modifying enzymes (HATs and HDACs) in tumor contexts.

Main Results:

  • DNA methylation and histone acetylation are key regulators of gene expression, often dysregulated in tumors.
  • Methylation can recruit histone deacetylase complexes for gene repression.
  • Alterations in methylation, HATs, and HDACs are observed in various cancers.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone acetylation, are critical in cancer.
  • The histone modifying apparatus is likely altered in hepatocellular carcinoma, representing a potential therapeutic target.

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