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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
10:41
An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues
Published on: April 5, 2018
Epigenetics in cancer: targeting chromatin modifications
Leigh Ellis1, Peter W Atadja, Ricky W Johnstone
1Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, St. Andrews Place, East Melbourne 3002, Australia.
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics
|June 11, 2009
Summary
Epigenetic modifications like histone and DNA methylation are crucial in cancer development. Reversing these aberrant changes through epigenetic therapies offers a promising new strategy for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Posttranslational histone modifications impact chromatin structure, gene expression, and cell behavior.
- Aberrant gene expression and epigenomic patterns are hallmarks of cancer.
- Epigenetic alterations, including histone and DNA methylation, are critical in cancer onset and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of epigenetic modifications in tumorigenesis.
- To highlight emerging epigenetic therapies for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epigenetic modifications in cancer.
- Analysis of current epigenetic therapeutic strategies targeting histone and DNA methylation.
Main Results:
- Dysregulated epigenetic modifications are as significant as genetic mutations in driving cancer.
- Epigenetic therapies targeting key enzymes show efficacy in various cancers.
- Reversal of aberrant epigenetic changes is a viable cancer treatment strategy.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic modifications play a fundamental role in cancer development.
- Targeting epigenetic regulators represents a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
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.
02:25Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
02:32Histone Modification
The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
02:32Histone Modification
The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...