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Epigenetics and MicroRNAs in Cancer
Alice Ramassone1,2, Sara Pagotto3,4, Angelo Veronese5,6
1Ageing Research Center and Translational Medicine-CeSI-MeT, 66100 Chieti, Italy. alice.ramassone@unich.it.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 7, 2018
Summary
Cancer cells exploit genome structure changes for tumorigenesis via epigenetic alterations. MicroRNAs play a key role in these cancer-related epigenetic changes, acting as both cause and consequence.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Cancer cells reprogram transcriptional networks by altering genome's 3D structure.
- Epigenetic phenomena involve heritable chromatin modifications and RNA-protein-DNA complexes.
- Deregulation of non-coding RNA is linked to cancer-related epigenetic alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on microRNAs in aberrant epigenetic regulation of cancer cells.
- To highlight the role of microRNAs in cancer-associated epigenetic reprogramming.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific findings.
- Analysis of studies implicating microRNAs in cancer epigenetics.
Main Results:
- MicroRNAs are implicated in the aberrant epigenetic regulation observed in cancer cells.
- Evidence suggests microRNAs are involved in both causing and resulting from cancer-related epigenetic alterations.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs are significant players in the epigenetic dysregulation driving tumorigenesis.
- Understanding microRNA involvement is crucial for targeting cancer's epigenetic vulnerabilities.
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