{"title":"DNA methylation pattern as important epigenetic criterion in cancer.","authors":"Mehrdad Ghavifekr Fakhr, Majid Farshdousti Hagh, Dariush Shanehbandi, Behzad Baradaran","doi":"10.1155/2013/317569","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Epigenetic modifications can affect the long-term gene expression without any change in nucleotide sequence of the DNA. Epigenetic processes intervene in the cell differentiation, chromatin structure, and activity of genes since the embryonic period. However, disorders in genes' epigenetic pattern can affect the mechanisms such as cell division, apoptosis, and response to the environmental stimuli which may lead to the incidence of different diseases and cancers. Since epigenetic changes may return to their natural state, they could be used as important targets in the treatment of cancer and similar malignancies. The aim of this review is to assess the epigenetic changes in normal and cancerous cells, the causative factors, and epigenetic therapies and treatments. </p>","PeriodicalId":37545,"journal":{"name":"Genetics Research International","volume":"2013 ","pages":"317569"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2013-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1155/2013/317569","citationCount":"88","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Genetics Research International","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/317569","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2013/12/23 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 88
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications can affect the long-term gene expression without any change in nucleotide sequence of the DNA. Epigenetic processes intervene in the cell differentiation, chromatin structure, and activity of genes since the embryonic period. However, disorders in genes' epigenetic pattern can affect the mechanisms such as cell division, apoptosis, and response to the environmental stimuli which may lead to the incidence of different diseases and cancers. Since epigenetic changes may return to their natural state, they could be used as important targets in the treatment of cancer and similar malignancies. The aim of this review is to assess the epigenetic changes in normal and cancerous cells, the causative factors, and epigenetic therapies and treatments.
期刊介绍:
Genetics Research International is a peer-reviewed, Open Access journal that publishes original research articles as well as review articles in all areas of genetics and genomics. The journal focuses on articles bearing on heredity, biochemistry, and molecular biology, as well as clinical findings.