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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
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Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
Published on: September 20, 2018
Epigenetic regulation: a new research area for melatonin?
Ahmet Korkmaz1, Russel J Reiter
1Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. fizyocan@gmail.com
Journal of Pineal Research
|December 15, 2007
Summary
Melatonin may play a role in epigenetic regulation by inhibiting DNA methyltransferase. This research explores its potential in cancer therapy by examining its influence on abnormal DNA methylation patterns.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics and molecular biology
- Cancer research and therapeutics
Background:
- Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone alterations, are implicated in disease development.
- Abnormal epigenetic patterns, like hypermethylation and silencing of tumor suppressor genes, are key in cancer.
- DNA methyltransferase inhibitors show promise in cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential role of melatonin in epigenetic regulation.
- To investigate melatonin's hypothetical function in inhibiting DNA methyltransferase.
- To discuss melatonin's potential application in cancer therapy through epigenetic modulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on melatonin and epigenetics.
- Analysis of research on DNA methyltransferase inhibitors in cancer therapy.
- Hypothetical exploration of melatonin's epigenetic mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic alterations are linked to various diseases, notably cancer.
- Current DNA methyltransferase inhibitors offer therapeutic potential.
- Melatonin is a versatile molecule with a hypothetical role in epigenetic regulation.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin may influence epigenetic regulation by inhibiting DNA methyltransferase.
- Further research is warranted to explore melatonin's therapeutic potential in epigenetic-related diseases, especially cancer.
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