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Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:37

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 Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase01:11

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors
07:33

In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors

Published on: May 17, 2013

Epigenetics and colorectal cancer.

Victoria Valinluck Lao1, William M Grady

  • 1Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Box 356410, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.

Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|October 20, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Colorectal cancer (CRC) involves genetic and epigenetic changes, particularly DNA methylation. Aberrantly methylated genes are key to CRC development and offer potential for new diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern, arising from accumulated genetic and epigenetic alterations in colon epithelial cells.
  • Aberrant DNA methylation is a hallmark of cancer epigenetics, with nearly all CRCs exhibiting widespread gene methylation.
  • A specific subgroup, CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) cancers, displays a particularly high frequency of methylated genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize advances in understanding aberrant DNA methylation in colorectal cancer.
  • To highlight the role of methylated genes as potential drivers in CRC.
  • To discuss the clinical applications of epigenetic alterations as biomarkers for CRC.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on colorectal cancer epigenetics and DNA methylation.

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Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer
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Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer

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Discovery of Driver Genes in Colorectal HT29-derived Cancer Stem-Like Tumorspheres
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Discovery of Driver Genes in Colorectal HT29-derived Cancer Stem-Like Tumorspheres

Published on: July 22, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 28, 2026

In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors
07:33

In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors

Published on: May 17, 2013

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer
07:50

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer

Published on: September 18, 2020

Discovery of Driver Genes in Colorectal HT29-derived Cancer Stem-Like Tumorspheres
06:52

Discovery of Driver Genes in Colorectal HT29-derived Cancer Stem-Like Tumorspheres

Published on: July 22, 2020

  • Analysis of findings regarding the cancer methylome in CRC.
  • Identification of methylated genes with presumed functional roles in CRC development.

    • Main Results:

    • Virtually all colorectal cancers (CRCs) exhibit aberrant DNA methylation, with hundreds to thousands of abnormally methylated genes per tumor.
    • A subset of methylated genes, termed driver genes, is implicated in CRC pathogenesis.
    • The CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) represents a distinct molecular subgroup of CRCs characterized by extensive methylation.

    Conclusions:

    • Epigenetic alterations, specifically DNA methylation patterns, are crucial in colorectal cancer development.
    • Aberrant methylation provides a basis for developing novel clinical biomarkers for CRC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
    • Epigenetic biomarkers are poised to play a significant role in future CRC prevention and management strategies.