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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation
Published on: January 2, 2009
Epigenetics, disease, and therapeutic interventions
1Department of Dermatology and Epigenetic Research Center, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan 410011, PR China.
Abstract:
Heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve coding sequence modifications are referred to as "epigenetic". Epigenetic mechanisms principally include DNA methylation and a variety of histone modifications, of which the best characterized is acetylation. DNA hypermethylation and histone hypoacetylation are hallmarks of gene silencing, while DNA hypomethylation and acetylated histones promote active transcription. Aberrant DNA methylation and histone acetylation have been linked to a number of age related disorders including cancer, autoimmune disorders and others. Since epigenetic alterations are reversible, modifying epigenetic marks contributing to disease development may provide an approach to designing new therapies. Herein we review the role of epigenetic changes in disease development, and recent advances in the therapeutic modification of epigenetic marks.
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