Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026
08:57
Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin
Published on: August 14, 2018
16.5K
The Origin of CIMP, At Last
Toshikazu Ushijima1, Hiromu Suzuki2
1Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, 104-0045 Tokyo, Japan.
Cancer Cell
|February 13, 2019
Summary
Aging-like DNA methylation, known as the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), creates a cellular environment that tolerates BRAF activation and prevents senescence. This study used colon organoids to explore this mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Cancer Biology
- Cellular Senescence
Background:
- The CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) is associated with aging and cancer.
- BRAF activation is a common oncogenic driver in various cancers, often leading to cellular senescence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how CIMP influences cellular response to BRAF activation.
- To determine if CIMP can overcome BRAF-induced senescence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 5-month cultured colon-derived organoids.
- Performed epigenomic analysis.
- Conducted stemness analysis.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that CIMP establishes a cellular context permissive to BRAF activation.
- Showed that this context prevents the induction of senescence.
- Linked CIMP to altered stemness properties.
Conclusions:
- CIMP facilitates cellular adaptation to oncogenic BRAF signaling by suppressing senescence.
- Epigenetic alterations in CIMP may reprogram cellular behavior to tolerate potentially harmful mutations.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:21Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
14.9K
Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
14.9K
02:31Chromosome Replication
10.6K
Before a cell can divide, it must accurately replicate all of its chromosomes, including the DNA and its associated histone and non-histone proteins. This process begins at numerous origins of replication during the S phase of the cell cycle in each of a cell’s chromosomes simultaneously. Certain nucleotides can act as origins of replication, but these sequences are not well defined - especially in complex, multi-cellular, eukaryotic species. The length of DNA that spans an origin...
10.6K
02:40Chromosome Structure
26.4K
A functional eukaryotic chromosome must contain three elements: a centromere, telomeres, and numerous origins of replication.
The centromere is a DNA sequence that links sister chromatids. This is also where kinetochores, protein complexes to which spindle microtubules attach, are constructed after the chromosome is replicated. The kinetochores allow the spindle microtubules to move the chromosomes within the cell during cell division.
Telomeres consist of non-coding repetitive nucleotide...
The centromere is a DNA sequence that links sister chromatids. This is also where kinetochores, protein complexes to which spindle microtubules attach, are constructed after the chromosome is replicated. The kinetochores allow the spindle microtubules to move the chromosomes within the cell during cell division.
Telomeres consist of non-coding repetitive nucleotide...
26.4K
01:31Formation of Species
45.0K
Speciation describes the formation of one or more new species from one or sometimes multiple original species. The resulting species are discrete from the parent species, and barriers to reproduction will typically exist. There are two primary mechanisms, speciation with and without geographic isolation—allopatric and sympatric speciation, respectively.
45.0K
02:31Replication in Eukaryotes
204.6K
Overview
204.6K
02:40The Tree of Life - Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryotes
38.4K
The “tree of life” describes the evolution of life and the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The root of the tree is the common ancestor to all life on Earth. All other species radiate from this point, much like the branches of a tree. The numerous tips of these branches on the tree of life represent every living, or extant, species. Extinct species, which are species that no longer exist, can be found towards the center of the tree. Currently, these organisms, both...
38.4K