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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.

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.

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

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...

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation

Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation

Published on: January 2, 2009

Cancer epigenetics: above and beyond.

Mariana Brait¹, David Sidransky

¹Division of Head and Neck Cancer Research, Department of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA. mbraitr1@jhmi.edu

Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods

|April 19, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Epigenetics, the study of gene expression changes without altering DNA, is crucial in cancer research. Epigenetic alterations are key to cancer progression and offer potential for novel biomarkers and therapies.

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Last Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation

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An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues

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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:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Oncology

Background:

Epigenetics involves heritable and reversible mechanisms altering gene expression without changing DNA sequence.
Epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, are fundamental to cancer progression.
These mechanisms influence cell fate and phenotype through transcriptional changes.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the significance of epigenetics in understanding cancer biology.
To explore the potential of epigenetic alterations as cancer biomarkers.
To discuss epigenetic modifications as therapeutic targets and agents for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

Review of current literature on epigenetic mechanisms in cancer.
Analysis of the role of DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome positioning, and non-coding RNAs.
Examination of epigenetic alterations in cancer detection, monitoring, prognosis, and therapy.

Main Results:

Epigenetic alterations are integral to cancer development and progression.
Epigenetic changes serve as promising biomarkers for early detection, monitoring, and risk assessment.
Epigenetic modifications represent viable therapeutic targets and agents for cancer treatment.

Conclusions:

Epigenetics provides critical insights into cancer biology.
Reverting cancer-specific epigenetic alterations offers a promising future for cancer treatment.
Continued research in epigenetics is expected to significantly advance cancer management and monitoring.