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Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic 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...

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.

Cancer

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...

Abnormal Proliferation

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

Published on: August 5, 2022

DNA methylation and cancer.

Marta Kulis¹, Manel Esteller

¹The Bellvitge Institute forBiomedical Research , L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona,Catalonia, Spain.

Advances in Genetics

|October 6, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification, regulates gene expression and silencing. Aberrant DNA methylation patterns in cancer can silence tumor suppressors or cause instability, offering therapeutic targets.

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Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer

Published on: September 18, 2020

Area of Science:

Epigenetics
Molecular Biology
Cancer Genomics

Background:

DNA methylation is a key epigenetic modification regulating gene expression and silencing in mammals.
It involves the addition of a methyl group to cytosine within CpG dinucleotides, often in CpG islands.
DNA methylation interacts with histone modifications to alter chromatin architecture and control genome function.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the role of DNA methylation in normal cellular function and its alterations in cancer.
To highlight the potential of DNA methylation as a biomarker and therapeutic target in oncology.
To emphasize the significance of understanding DNA methylation for epigenome research.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on DNA methylation.
Analysis of DNA methylation patterns in normal and cancerous cells.
Discussion of DNA methylome mapping techniques.

Main Results:

Hypermethylation of tumor-suppressor genes and global hypomethylation contribute to cancer development.
DNA methylation alterations affect noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs, impacting tumor suppression.
Hypermethylated promoters show potential as cancer biomarkers.

Conclusions:

DNA methylation is crucial in tumorigenesis, with both hyper- and hypomethylation playing significant roles.
The reversibility of DNA methylation makes it an attractive target for cancer therapy.
Advancements in DNA methylome mapping are essential for future epigenome research and clinical applications.