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Silent assassin: oncogenic ras directs epigenetic inactivation of target genes

Xiaodong Cheng1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1031, USA. xcheng@utmb.edu

Science Signaling
|April 4, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Oncogenic Ras triggers a sophisticated epigenetic silencing program to suppress cancer-preventing genes. This reveals a direct link between genetic mutations and epigenetic changes in cancer development.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Oncogenic transformation involves genetic and epigenetic changes.
  • The precise mechanisms linking these alterations in tumorigenesis are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how oncogenic Ras utilizes epigenetic mechanisms.
  • To identify the pathway through which Ras represses cancer-suppressing genes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of gene expression patterns.
  • Investigation of epigenetic silencing pathways associated with oncogenic Ras.

Main Results:

  • Oncogenic Ras employs a complex epigenetic silencing program.
  • This program specifically represses multiple unrelated cancer-suppressing genes via a common pathway.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic modifications in cancer can be instructive and specific.
  • Genetic and epigenetic alterations cooperate to drive tumorigenesis.

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