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Histone methyltransferases in tumor suppression

Keun-Cheol Kim1, Shi Huang

  • 1Program in Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Cancer Research Center, The Burnham Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.

Cancer Biology & Therapy
|November 14, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Environmental factors may cause cancer without direct DNA mutations. Histone methyltransferases can create heritable cell changes, suggesting an epigenetic cancer pathway. This research explores a novel mechanism for cancer development.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cancer research

Background:

  • Cancer arises from mutations affecting cell growth, differentiation, and survival.
  • Familial cancers link to tumor susceptibility genes, but sporadic cancers often involve environmental factors without clear mutagens.
  • The necessity of mutation for environmental carcinogens to induce cancer remains an open question.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of histone methyltransferases in mediating environmental effects on cell phenotypes.
  • To explore the potential for an epigenetic pathway in cancer development.
  • To determine if mutations are essential for environmental carcinogens to cause cancer.

Main Methods:

  • The study focuses on the function of histone methyltransferases.
  • It examines how these enzymes control mitotic inheritance of cell fate and gene expression.
  • The research investigates the link between environmental factors and heritable changes in cell phenotypes.

Main Results:

  • Histone methyltransferases can convert environmental effects into heritable changes in cell phenotypes.
  • These enzymes possess tumor suppressor functions.
  • The findings suggest an epigenetic mechanism contributing to cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental factors may contribute to cancer through epigenetic modifications rather than solely through DNA mutations.
  • Histone methyltransferases play a crucial role in this epigenetic pathway.
  • The discovery of tumor suppressor functions for these enzymes opens new avenues for understanding and potentially treating cancer.

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