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Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer
Published on: September 18, 2020
DNA Methylation in Epidermal Differentiation, Aging, and Cancer
Florian Köhler1, Manuel Rodríguez-Paredes2
1Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
The formation and maintenance of the epidermis depend on epidermal stem cell differentiation and must be tightly regulated. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation allow the precise gene expression cascade needed during cellular differentiation. However, these mechanisms become deregulated during aging and tumorigenesis, where cellular function and identity become compromised. Here we provide a review of this rapidly developing field. We discuss recent discoveries related to epidermal homeostasis, aging, and cancer, including the functional role of DNA methyltransferases, the methylation clock, and the determination of tumor cells-of-origin. Finally, we focus on future advances, greatly influenced by single-cell sequencing technologies.
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