Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Correlating Gene-specific DNA Methylation Changes with Expression and Transcriptional Activity of Astrocytic KCNJ10 Kir4.1
11:19

Correlating Gene-specific DNA Methylation Changes with Expression and Transcriptional Activity of Astrocytic KCNJ10 Kir4.1

Published on: September 26, 2015

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Molecular Pathways: Metabolic Control of Histone Methylation and Gene Expression in Cancer

Thai Q Tran1, Xazmin H Lowman1, Mei Kong2

  • 1Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, California.

Clinical Cancer Research : an Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
|April 14, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Metabolic changes influence epigenetic enzymes, altering gene expression and promoting cancer. Targeting this metabolism-epigenetics link offers new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cancer Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Metabolism

Background:

  • Epigenetic alterations are key drivers of cancer development and treatment response.
  • Metabolic intermediates serve as essential cofactors for epigenetic enzymes.
  • Metabolite level fluctuations can modulate the activity of chromatin-modifying enzymes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the interplay between metabolism and epigenetic gene regulation in cancer.
  • To highlight how metabolic shifts impact histone methylation and gene expression in tumorigenesis.
  • To explore therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic and epigenetic dysregulation in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on metabolism and epigenetics in cancer.
  • Focus on mechanisms linking metabolic changes to histone methylation.
  • Analysis of how these alterations promote tumor development.

Main Results:

  • Metabolic alterations, influenced by diet, genetics, or the tumor microenvironment, regulate histone methylation.
  • These epigenetic changes affect gene expression profiles, contributing to tumorigenesis.
  • The cross-talk between metabolism and epigenetics presents potential therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

  • Metabolic reprogramming is a critical factor in cancer-associated epigenetic changes.
  • Targeting the metabolic-epigenetic axis holds promise for novel cancer therapies.
  • Understanding this cross-talk is vital for developing effective anti-cancer strategies.

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