Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Extraction of Histones from Clinical Specimens for Epigenetic Profiling by Mass Spectrometry
10:54

Extraction of Histones from Clinical Specimens for Epigenetic Profiling by Mass Spectrometry

Published on: November 21, 2025

The epigenetic breakdown of cancer cells: from DNA methylation to histone modifications

Esteban Ballestar1, Manel Esteller

  • 1Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain.

Progress in Molecular and Subcellular Biology
|May 11, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic defects, including DNA methylation changes, are key in all cancers. Understanding these epigenetic alterations aids in developing novel cancer therapies targeting these defects.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Epigenetic defects are recognized in all cancer types, revolutionizing cancer research.
  • Aberrant DNA methylation, including global hypomethylation and CpG island hypermethylation, are early recognized events.
  • Deregulation of DNA methyltransferases contributes to cancer-specific silencing of tumor suppressor genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the network of factors involved in epigenetic deregulation in cancer.
  • To understand the connections between DNA methylation, chromatin, and transcriptional activity.
  • To identify novel therapeutic strategies for reversing epigenetic defects in cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of DNA methylation patterns (global hypomethylation, CpG island hypermethylation).
  • Investigation of DNA methyltransferase activity and its role in gene silencing.
  • Exploration of the interplay between DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin structure.

Main Results:

  • Established that epigenetic deregulation, particularly DNA methylation changes, is a hallmark of cancer.
  • Demonstrated a link between DNA methyltransferase deregulation and the epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes.
  • Highlighted the crucial role of histone modifications in connecting DNA methylation to transcriptional activity.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic defects are fundamental to cancer development and progression.
  • Understanding the epigenetic machinery offers new avenues for cancer therapy.
  • Targeting epigenetic alterations presents a promising strategy for reversing cancer phenotypes.

More Related Videos

Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation21:24

Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation

Published on: January 2, 2009

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues10:41

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues

Published on: April 5, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Cancer02:18

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.