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Dysregulated transcriptional and post-translational control of DNA methyltransferases in cancer

Ruo-Kai Lin1, Yi-Ching Wang2

  • 1Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei 110, Taiwan ; Program for the Clinical Drug Discovery from Botanical Herbs, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei 110, Taiwan ; Program for Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoproteomics, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei 110, Taiwan.

Cell & Bioscience
|May 8, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Aberrant DNA methylation by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) drives cancer. This review explores how DNMT expression and activity are regulated, offering insights into potential cancer therapies targeting these enzymes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Cancer is a major global health concern.
  • Aberrant DNA methylation, particularly hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes, silences gene expression and promotes cancer.
  • DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are key enzymes in DNA methylation and are often overexpressed in cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the transcriptional and post-translational regulation of DNMTs.
  • To highlight the role of DNMT dysregulation in tumorigenesis.
  • To discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting DNMTs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of transcriptional and post-translational regulation of DNMTs.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways, transcription factors, and microRNAs affecting DNMTs.
  • Examination of post-translational modifications (acetylation, phosphorylation) of DNMTs.

Main Results:

  • DNMT gene expression is upregulated by pathways like Ras-c-Jun, Sp1/Sp3, and viral oncoproteins.
  • Transcriptional repressors including p53, RB, and FOXO3a can downregulate DNMTs.
  • Reduced expression of specific microRNAs (e.g., miR-29 family) correlates with DNMT overexpression.
  • Post-translational modifications, such as acetylation and phosphorylation, impact DNMT stability and activity, particularly for DNMT1.

Conclusions:

  • Dysregulation of DNMTs at transcriptional and post-translational levels contributes to cancer development.
  • Targeting DNMT expression and activity presents a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
CancerDNA methyltransferasePost-translational modificationsTranscriptionTumor suppressor gene

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