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Updated: Jun 11, 2025

Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation
Published on: January 2, 2009
Metabolite regulation of epigenetics in cancer
Pu Wang1, Lei-Lei Chen1, Yue Xiong2
1Molecular and Cell Biology Lab, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
The catalytic activity of most epigenetic enzymes requires a metabolite produced by central carbon metabolism as a cofactor or (co-)substrate. The concentrations of these metabolites undergo dynamic changes in response to nutrient levels and environmental conditions, reprogramming metabolic processes and epigenetic landscapes. Abnormal accumulations of epigenetic modulatory metabolites resulting from mutations in metabolic enzymes contribute to tumorigenesis. In this review, we first present the concept that metabolite regulation of gene expression represents an evolutionarily conserved mechanism from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. We then review how individual metabolites affect epigenetic enzymes and cancer development. Lastly, we discuss the advancement of and opportunity for therapeutic targeting of metabolite-epigenetic regulation in cancer therapy.
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