Open AccessDNA and histone methylation in gastric carcinogenesis
Author(s) -
Danielle Queiroz Calcagno,
Carolina Oliveira Gigek,
Elizabeth Chen,
Rommel Rodrı́guez Burbano,
Marı́lia de Arruda Cardoso Smith
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v19.i8.1182
Subject(s) - epigenetics , epigenome , cancer epigenetics , dna methylation , histone , biology , epigenomics , chromatin , carcinogenesis , cancer research , cancer , chromatin remodeling , histone methylation , genetics , histone methyltransferase , gene , gene expression
Epigenetic alterations contribute significantly to the development and progression of gastric cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Epigenetics refers to the number of modifications of the chromatin structure that affect gene expression without altering the primary sequence of DNA, and these changes lead to transcriptional activation or silencing of the gene. Over the years, the study of epigenetic processes has increased, and novel therapeutic approaches that target DNA methylation and histone modifications have emerged. A greater understanding of epigenetics and the therapeutic potential of manipulating these processes is necessary for gastric cancer treatment. Here, we review recent research on the effects of aberrant DNA and histone methylation on the onset and progression of gastric tumors and the development of compounds that target enzymes that regulate the epigenome.