DNA and histone methylation in gastric carcinogenesis

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Calcagno, Danielle Queiroz [UNIFESP], Gigek, Carolina Oliveira [UNIFESP], Chen, Elizabeth Suchi [UNIFESP], Burbano, Rommel Rodriguez, Cardoso Smith, Marilia de Arruda [UNIFESP]
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2013
Country:Brasil
Institution:Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)
Repository:Repositório Institucional da UNIFESP
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.unifesp.br:11600/35986
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v19.i8.1182
http://repositorio.unifesp.br/handle/11600/35986
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Epigenetic
DNA methylation
Histone methylation
Gastric cancer
Gastric carcinogenesis
Description
Summary: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. (C) 2013 Baishideng. All rights reserved.