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In Vitro Selection of Engineered Transcriptional Repressors for Targeted Epigenetic Silencing
Published on: May 5, 2023
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Nickel and epigenetic gene silencing.
Hong Sun1, Magdy Shamy2, Max Costa3
1Department of Environmental Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, Tuxedo, NY 10987, USA. Hong.Sun@nyumc.org.
Genes
|April 8, 2014
Summary
Insoluble nickel compounds cause cancer by altering gene expression through epigenetic changes. This review details how nickel affects DNA methylation and histone modifications, leading to gene silencing and cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Epigenetics
- Carcinogenesis
Background:
- Insoluble nickel compounds are recognized human carcinogens.
- Occupational exposure in nickel refineries increases lung and nasal cancer risk.
- Epigenetic alterations are increasingly implicated in nickel-induced carcinogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epigenetic mechanisms of nickel-induced gene silencing.
- To highlight the role of epigenetic alterations in nickel carcinogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental evidence on nickel's epigenetic effects.
- Analysis of nickel's impact on DNA methylation and histone modifications.
Main Results:
- Nickel ions induce heterochromatinization and chromatin condensation.
- Nickel targets enzymes involved in epigenetic mark establishment and removal.
- Altered DNA methylation and histone modification landscapes are observed.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic changes, particularly gene silencing, are crucial in nickel-induced cancer.
- Understanding these epigenetic alterations is key to addressing nickel carcinogenicity.
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