Epigenetics provides a new generation of oncogenes and tumour-suppressor genes

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Epigenetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Cancer is understood as a genetic and epigenetic disease.
• Epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation and histone modification, are hallmarks of human cancer.
• The role of epigenetic genes as drivers of tumorigenesis is an emerging area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether epigenetic genes are driving forces in cancer development.
• To explore the link between epigenetic gene dysfunction and tumorigenesis.
• To identify novel therapeutic targets based on epigenetic alterations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of knockout mice models with defects in epigenetic regulators.
• Detection of somatic mutations, deletions, and silencing of epigenetic genes in human tumors.
• Identification of germline mutations in epigenetic genes associated with cancer predisposition.

Main Results:

• Defects in DNA methyltransferases, methyl-CpG-binding proteins, and histone methyltransferases in mice increase cancer risk.
• Human tumors exhibit mutations, deletions, and silencing of histone acetyltransferases, histone methyltransferases, and chromatin remodelers.
• Germline mutations in epigenetic genes like hSNF5/INI1 are linked to cancer predisposition.

Conclusions:

• Epigenetic genes function as novel oncogenes and tumor suppressors.
• These epigenetic alterations provide new molecular targets for cancer therapies.
• DNA-demethylating agents and histone deacetylase inhibitors are emerging as treatments for hematological malignancies.