Open AccessInduced pluripotent stem cell technology for dissecting the cancer epigenome
Author(s) -
Semi Katsunori,
Yamada Yasuhiro
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/cas.12758
Subject(s) - epigenome , induced pluripotent stem cell , stem cell , cancer , biology , computational biology , microbiology and biotechnology , embryonic stem cell , genetics , dna methylation , gene , gene expression
Cancer arises through the accumulation of both genetic and epigenetic alterations. Although the causal role of genetic mutations on cancer development has been established in vivo , similar evidence for epigenetic alterations is limited. Moreover, mutual interactions between genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations remain unclear. Cellular reprogramming technology can be used to actively modify the epigenome without affecting the underlying genomic sequences. Here we introduce recent studies that have utilized this property for cancer research. We propose that just as it has potential for regenerative medicine and disease modeling, cell reprogramming could also be a powerful tool for dissecting the role of the cancer epigenome in the development and maintenance of cancer cells.