Abstract
DNA methylation is one of several epigenetic changes observed in cells. Aberrant methylation of tumor suppressor genes, proto-oncogenes, and vital cell cycle genes has led many scientists to investigate the underlying cellular mechanisms of DNA methylation under normal and pathological conditions. Although DNA methylation is necessary for normal mammalian embryogenesis, both hypo- and hypermethylation of DNA are frequently observed in carcinogenesis and other pathological disorders. DNA hypermethylation silences the transcription of many tumor suppressor genes, resulting in immortalization of tumor cells. The reverse process, demethylation and restoration of normal functional expression of genes, is augmented by DNA methylation inhibitors. Recent studies suggest that DNA hypomethylation may also control gene expression and chromosomal stability. However, the roles of and relationship between hypomethylation and hypermethylation are not well understood. This review provides a brief overview of the mechanism of DNA methylation, its relationship to extrinsic stimulation including dietary intake and aging, and of abnormally methylated DNA in breast and colorectal cancers, which could be used as prognostic and diagnostic markers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 711-721 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Modern Pathology |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 2007 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Cite this
DNA methylation in breast and colorectal cancers. / Agrawal, Anshu; Murphy, Richard F.; Agrawal, Devendra K.
In: Modern Pathology, Vol. 20, No. 7, 07.2007, p. 711-721.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - DNA methylation in breast and colorectal cancers
AU - Agrawal, Anshu
AU - Murphy, Richard F.
AU - Agrawal, Devendra K.
PY - 2007/7
Y1 - 2007/7
N2 - DNA methylation is one of several epigenetic changes observed in cells. Aberrant methylation of tumor suppressor genes, proto-oncogenes, and vital cell cycle genes has led many scientists to investigate the underlying cellular mechanisms of DNA methylation under normal and pathological conditions. Although DNA methylation is necessary for normal mammalian embryogenesis, both hypo- and hypermethylation of DNA are frequently observed in carcinogenesis and other pathological disorders. DNA hypermethylation silences the transcription of many tumor suppressor genes, resulting in immortalization of tumor cells. The reverse process, demethylation and restoration of normal functional expression of genes, is augmented by DNA methylation inhibitors. Recent studies suggest that DNA hypomethylation may also control gene expression and chromosomal stability. However, the roles of and relationship between hypomethylation and hypermethylation are not well understood. This review provides a brief overview of the mechanism of DNA methylation, its relationship to extrinsic stimulation including dietary intake and aging, and of abnormally methylated DNA in breast and colorectal cancers, which could be used as prognostic and diagnostic markers.
AB - DNA methylation is one of several epigenetic changes observed in cells. Aberrant methylation of tumor suppressor genes, proto-oncogenes, and vital cell cycle genes has led many scientists to investigate the underlying cellular mechanisms of DNA methylation under normal and pathological conditions. Although DNA methylation is necessary for normal mammalian embryogenesis, both hypo- and hypermethylation of DNA are frequently observed in carcinogenesis and other pathological disorders. DNA hypermethylation silences the transcription of many tumor suppressor genes, resulting in immortalization of tumor cells. The reverse process, demethylation and restoration of normal functional expression of genes, is augmented by DNA methylation inhibitors. Recent studies suggest that DNA hypomethylation may also control gene expression and chromosomal stability. However, the roles of and relationship between hypomethylation and hypermethylation are not well understood. This review provides a brief overview of the mechanism of DNA methylation, its relationship to extrinsic stimulation including dietary intake and aging, and of abnormally methylated DNA in breast and colorectal cancers, which could be used as prognostic and diagnostic markers.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34250620891&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=34250620891&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/modpathol.3800822
DO - 10.1038/modpathol.3800822
M3 - Review article
C2 - 17464311
AN - SCOPUS:34250620891
VL - 20
SP - 711
EP - 721
JO - Modern Pathology
JF - Modern Pathology
SN - 0893-3952
IS - 7
ER -