A-Z of Epigenetic Readers: Targeting Alternative Splicing and Histone Modification Variants in Cancer

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Epigenetic reader proteins regulate gene expression by interacting with chromatin modifications.
• Alternative splicing generates diverse protein isoforms with potentially altered functions.
• Dysregulation of epigenetic readers and alternative splicing is implicated in cancer etiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of alternative splicing in epigenetic reader protein functionality.
• To explore the contribution of epigenetic deregulation and splicing to pathophysiology.
• To provide an A-Z guide of epigenetic readers, highlighting isoform-specific functions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on epigenetic readers and alternative splicing.
• Analysis of 'yin-yang' roles of full-length versus spliced isoforms.
• Discussion of clinical implications and therapeutic potential.

Main Results:

• Epigenetic readers are crucial for transcriptional regulation, development, and cancer.
• Alternative splicing creates antagonistic roles for different protein isoforms.
• Deregulation of these processes contributes to disease pathophysiology.

Conclusions:

• Alternative splicing of epigenetic readers is fundamentally important in biological processes and disease.
• Further research is needed to understand the functional diversity and regulatory mechanisms.
• Targeting alternatively spliced epigenetic readers holds promise for precision oncology.