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Epigenetic alteration and microRNA dysregulation in cancer

Hiromu Suzuki1, Reo Maruyama1, Eiichiro Yamamoto1

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, Sapporo Medical University Sapporo, Japan.

Frontiers in Genetics
|December 19, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic changes like DNA methylation and histone modifications disrupt microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer. Understanding these epigenetic alterations in miRNA genes offers potential cancer biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of biological processes.
  • Dysregulation of miRNAs is a hallmark of human cancers.
  • Epigenetic alterations are increasingly recognized as key drivers of miRNA dysregulation in cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the intricate relationship between epigenetic modifications and miRNA dysregulation in cancer.
  • To highlight the potential of epigenetic alterations in miRNA genes as cancer biomarkers.
  • To investigate miRNA re-expression as a therapeutic strategy for cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of the cancer epigenome.
  • Investigation of DNA methylation patterns (hypermethylation and hypomethylation) affecting miRNA genes.
  • Examination of histone modifications (e.g., deacetylation, repressive marks) associated with miRNA gene silencing.

Main Results:

  • Aberrant DNA methylation (CpG island hypermethylation and DNA hypomethylation) significantly impacts miRNA expression in cancer.
  • Histone modifications, including deacetylation and repressive marks, are linked to miRNA gene silencing.
  • Evidence suggests a causal relationship where miRNA dysregulation is linked to epigenetic alterations in cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic alterations in miRNA genes are major contributors to cancer development and progression.
  • Aberrant miRNA methylation serves as a potential biomarker for cancer detection and outcome prediction.
  • Targeting epigenetic modifications to restore miRNA function presents a promising avenue for novel cancer therapies.
Keywords:
CpG island methylationEZH2biomarkerhistone modificationmicroRNAoncomirtumor suppressor

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