Epigenome and DNA methylation in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Epigenetics studies and defines inherited changes in gene expression that are not encoded in the DNA sequence. The most studied epigenetic change in mammalian DNA is cytosine methylation in CpG dinucleotide areas. The other main group in epigenetic changes includes the posttranslational modifications of histones, mainly phosphorylation, deacetylation changes, and in the ubiquitinylation status. Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the oral cavity, and epigenetic changes are very common, as described in this chapter. Alterations in the DNA methylation status resulting from exposure to environmental stress agents have been documented even before birth. Although many epigenetic markers are potentially reversible, the mechanism still remains unclear and many epigenetic changes persist across cell lines and the life of the organism.