Genetic determinants of the epigenome in development and cancer
Although we have detailed maps of epigenetic marks on DNA and chromatin for many cell types and disease states, the origin and significance of these patterns is incompletely understood. Deregulation of the epigenome is a frequent accompaniment to cancer, and it is therefore important that we learn...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW)
2017-10-01
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| Series: | Swiss Medical Weekly |
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| Online Access: | https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/2384 |
| _version_ | 1797979681871364096 |
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| author | Adrian Bird |
| author_facet | Adrian Bird |
| author_sort | Adrian Bird |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Although we have detailed maps of epigenetic marks on DNA and chromatin for many cell types and disease states, the origin and significance of these patterns is incompletely understood. Deregulation of the epigenome is a frequent accompaniment to cancer, and it is therefore important that we learn how it contributes to tumour formation. Here it is proposed that the roles of DNA sequence signals as determinants of the epigenome have been underappreciated. Taking as a paradigm the part played by the dinucleotide CpG in regulating gene expression via its effects on the epigenome, it is suggested that factors recognising other short, frequent sequence motifs also recruit chromatin modifying enzymes in response to DNA sequence. A screen for factors of this kind promises to aid our understanding of the mechanisms by which gene activity is globally regulated.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T05:42:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a115b00a4f294fcfa99428228274ecbe |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-3997 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T05:42:42Z |
| publishDate | 2017-10-01 |
| publisher | SMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Swiss Medical Weekly |
| spelling | doaj.art-a115b00a4f294fcfa99428228274ecbe2022-12-22T04:42:25ZengSMW supporting association (Trägerverein Swiss Medical Weekly SMW)Swiss Medical Weekly1424-39972017-10-01147414210.4414/smw.2017.14523Genetic determinants of the epigenome in development and cancerAdrian Bird Although we have detailed maps of epigenetic marks on DNA and chromatin for many cell types and disease states, the origin and significance of these patterns is incompletely understood. Deregulation of the epigenome is a frequent accompaniment to cancer, and it is therefore important that we learn how it contributes to tumour formation. Here it is proposed that the roles of DNA sequence signals as determinants of the epigenome have been underappreciated. Taking as a paradigm the part played by the dinucleotide CpG in regulating gene expression via its effects on the epigenome, it is suggested that factors recognising other short, frequent sequence motifs also recruit chromatin modifying enzymes in response to DNA sequence. A screen for factors of this kind promises to aid our understanding of the mechanisms by which gene activity is globally regulated. https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/2384CpG islandsDNA methylationepigenome |
| spellingShingle | Adrian Bird Genetic determinants of the epigenome in development and cancer Swiss Medical Weekly CpG islands DNA methylation epigenome |
| title | Genetic determinants of the epigenome in development and cancer |
| title_full | Genetic determinants of the epigenome in development and cancer |
| title_fullStr | Genetic determinants of the epigenome in development and cancer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic determinants of the epigenome in development and cancer |
| title_short | Genetic determinants of the epigenome in development and cancer |
| title_sort | genetic determinants of the epigenome in development and cancer |
| topic | CpG islands DNA methylation epigenome |
| url | https://www.smw.ch/index.php/smw/article/view/2384 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT adrianbird geneticdeterminantsoftheepigenomeindevelopmentandcancer |