Functions, aberrations, and advances for chromatin modulation in cancer

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

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

10.0K

Mariarosaria Conte1, Lucia Altucci

  • 1Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Patologia generale, Seconda Università di Napoli, Vico L. De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.

Cancer Treatment and Research
|October 12, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Cancer development is linked to epigenetic changes. Understanding alterations in chromatin enzymes is key for developing new cancer prevention and treatment strategies targeting epigenetics.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cancer initiation and progression are linked to genome and epigenome deregulation.
  • Epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and miRNA modulation, are increasingly implicated in tumorigenesis.
  • Various chromatin-modulating enzymes have been identified and their aberrations associated with cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the alterations occurring in chromatin enzymes.
  • To understand the impact of these chromatin enzyme alterations in cancer.
  • To highlight the importance of epigenetic targeting for cancer prevention and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on epigenetic deregulation in cancer.
  • Classification of chromatin-modulating enzymes.
  • Analysis of the connection between enzyme aberrations and cancer pathology.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic deregulation is a significant factor in cancer initiation and progression.
  • Specific chromatin-modulating enzymes and their aberrant functions are identified in various cancers.
  • Understanding these alterations provides a basis for targeted epigenetic therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Insights into chromatin enzyme alterations are crucial for advancing epigenetic cancer therapy.
  • Targeting epigenetic mechanisms offers promising avenues for cancer prevention and treatment.
  • Further research into chromatin enzyme functions in cancer is warranted.

More Related Videos

CRISPR-Mediated Reorganization of Chromatin Loop Structure09:20

CRISPR-Mediated Reorganization of Chromatin Loop Structure

Published on: September 14, 2018

14.2K
Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers10:28

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers

Published on: September 20, 2018

6.1K

Related Concept Videos

Spreading of Chromatin Modifications02:25

Spreading 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...
8.1K
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...
3.5K
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.
28.9K
Histone Modification02:32

Histone 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...
14.7K
Histone Modification02:32

Histone Modification

4.1K
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells01:32

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
1.5K