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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
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An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues
Published on: April 5, 2018
Epigenetic control of tumor suppression
Stela S Palii1, Keith D Robertson
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100245, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
Critical Reviews in Eukaryotic Gene Expression
|August 30, 2007
Summary
Epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes, through DNA hypermethylation and histone modifications, drives cancer development. Understanding these epigenetic changes is crucial for developing new cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes is a key driver of cancer.
- Cancer-specific CpG island hypermethylation and repressive histone modifications are increasingly studied.
- Research integrates epigenetics, chromatin remodeling, and epigenome-altering drugs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key findings on epigenetic control of tumor suppression.
- To analyze the role of DNA hypermethylation and histone modifications in malignancy.
- To discuss hierarchical control and interdependent regulation in tumor suppression networks.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epigenetic mechanisms in cancer.
- Analysis of DNA hypermethylation and histone deacetylation/methylation profiles.
- Examination of tumor stage, progression, and prognosis correlations.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic alterations, including DNA hypermethylation and histone modifications, lead to tumor suppressor gene silencing.
- These epigenetic changes correlate with tumor stage, progression, and patient prognosis.
- Hierarchical and interdependent regulatory networks exist within cellular tumor suppression.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic loss of function is critical in malignancy.
- Developing a human epigenome database is essential for translational research.
- Integrating epigenetic data will advance multidisciplinary studies of tumor suppressor networks.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
01:37Epigenetic 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...
X-chromosome...
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...