Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yumin Wang, Yan Wang, Harsh Patel, Jichao Chen, Jinhua Wang, Zhe-Sheng Chen, Hongquan Wang
Summary: Divergent N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) modifications, mediated by m(6)A regulators, play a dynamic and reversible role in posttranscriptional RNA modifications. Aberrant m(6)A modifications are associated with cancer occurrence, development, progression, and prognosis. This review summarizes the current roles of m(6)A regulators in cancer and explores the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of m(6)A regulators in cancer genesis.
Review
Oncology
Benjamin J. Bernard, Nupur Nigam, Kyunghee Burkitt, Vassiliki Saloura
Summary: Chromatin modifiers are enzymes that alter chromatin structure through various post-translational modifications, influencing transcription. SMYD3, a chromatin modifier implicated in cancer, has been shown to methylate not only histones but also non-histone substrates, impacting cancer prognosis and function. Ongoing efforts to develop inhibitors of SMYD3 for therapeutic use are underway, aiming to advance future discovery and treatment in cancer research.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Riya Su, Xinlin Wu, Liang Tao, Changshan Wang
Summary: Distant metastasis is the main cause of the high mortality rate in colorectal cancer (CRC). Research has found that some epigenetic enzymes are often dysregulated or mutated in multiple tumor types, prompting us to study their roles in CRC metastasis. Existing data suggests that targeting epigenetic enzymes is a promising strategy for treating CRC metastasis.
CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL METASTASIS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eshaan Patnaik, Chikezie Madu, Yi Lu
Summary: Epigenetics plays a crucial role in gene regulation and tumor development. DNA methylation inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors can restore normal gene expression and be effective against cancer. Understanding epigenetic modifications and utilizing inhibitors offer new possibilities for cancer research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Xin Liu, Lu Chen, Tao Wang, Jilong Zhou, Zhekun Li, Guowei Bu, Jingjing Zhang, Shuyuan Yin, Danya Wu, Chengli Dou, Tian Xu, Hainan He, Wei Zhu, Longtao Yu, Zhiting Liu, Xia Zhang, Zhen-Xia Chen, Yi-Liang Miao
Summary: The study shows that incomplete epigenetic remodeling during pig cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer can lead to embryonic loss, but a combination of H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 can restore this process. Additionally, TDG is identified as an effective pig-specific epigenetic regulator that can enhance DNA demethylation and blastocyst formation in SCNT embryos.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Euan J. Rodger, Gregory Gimenez, Priyadarshana Ajithkumar, Peter A. Stockwell, Suzan Almomani, Sarah A. Bowden, Anna L. Leichter, Antonio Ahn, Sharon Pattison, John L. McCall, Sebastian Schmeier, Frank A. Frizelle, Michael R. Eccles, Rachel V. Purcell, Aniruddha Chatterjee
Summary: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health issue, with metastasis being a major cause of poor prognosis. This study investigated the epigenetic changes associated with CRC metastasis by analyzing DNA methylation and gene expression profiles of primary cancers and liver metastases. The researchers identified specific epigenetic drivers that may control the expression of critical genes in the metastatic cascade. These findings have the potential to improve outcome prediction and identify new therapeutic targets for CRC metastasis.
Article
Cell Biology
Yanhong Wang, Jiaqi Wang, Lingrong Yang, Liqing Qiu, Yuhui Hua, Shixiu Wu, Su Zeng, Lushan Yu, Xiaoli Zheng
Summary: The repression of PEPT1 in human colorectal cancer is due to DNA methylation mediated by DNMT1 and histone deacetylation mediated by HDAC1, which plays a vital role in the poor response of CRC to the common treatment ubenimex.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maochao Luo, Xingyue Yang, Hai-Ning Chen, Edouard C. Nice, Canhua Huang
Summary: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, and epigenetic regulation has been shown to play an important role in CRC drug resistance. The reversibility of epigenetic alterations provides novel therapeutic strategies to overcome drug resistance.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-REVIEWS ON CANCER
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Nishat Fatima, Syed Shabihe Raza Baqri, Atrayee Bhattacharya, Nii Koney-Kwaku Koney, Kazim Husain, Ata Abbas, Rais A. Ansari
Summary: Epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in many diseases, particularly cancer. Flavonoids, as natural compounds with the potential to modulate epigenetic processes, have emerged as promising agents against cancer. Understanding the epigenetic alterations mediated by flavonoids is essential for developing anti-cancer therapies.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martyna W. Sroka, Christopher R. Vakoc
Summary: Two studies have shown that certain cancers are driven by genetic changes in the NSD3 protein, which alter its enzymatic activity. Biochemical and structural characterization suggest a potential route for pharmacological reversal.
Article
Oncology
Feng Li, Syeda Qasim, Dapeng Li, Q. Ping Dou
Summary: In-depth insights on cancer biology have highlighted the important roles of epigenetic mechanisms in tumorigenesis. Targeting the cancer epigenome with epi-drugs, including phytochemicals like EGCG, offers promising strategies for cancer chemoprevention and therapy. However, there are limitations to using EGCG as an epigenetic modulator in cancer treatment.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Kristiina Rajamaki, Aurora Taira, Riku Katainen, Niko Valimaki, Anna Kuosmanen, Roosa-Maria Plaketti, Toni T. Seppala, Maarit Ahtiainen, Erkki-Ville Wirta, Emilia Vartiainen, Paivi Sulo, Janne Ravantti, Suvi Lehtipuro, Kirsi J. Granberg, Matti Nykter, Tomas Tanskanen, Ari Ristimaki, Selja Koskensalo, Laura Renkonen-Sinisalo, Anna Lepisto, Jan Bohm, Jussi Taipale, Jukka-Pekka Mecklin, Mervi Aavikko, Kimmo Palin, Lauri A. Aaltonen
Summary: By comprehensively characterizing IBD-associated tumorigenesis using multiple high-throughput approaches, distinct mechanisms of WNT pathway dysregulation were identified in IBD-CRC, which skew the tumors towards a mesenchymal subtype. Additionally, epigenetic modifications and noncoding mutations in specific genes were found in IBD-CRC, highlighting further differences compared to sCRC.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Andrea del Saz-Lara, Hatim Boughanem, Maria-Carmen Lopez de las Hazas, Carmen Crespo, Alicia Saz-Lara, Francesco Visioli, Manuel Macias-Gonzalez, Alberto Davalos
Summary: The Mediterranean diet is associated with lower incidence of cardio-vascular and cerebrovascular diseases as well as cancer. Extra virgin olive oil, with its phenolic components such as hydroxytyrosol, has been attributed with many healthful effects. Recent studies show that extra virgin olive oil and hydroxytyrosol modulate epigenetic mechanisms, specifically DNA methylation, in human tissues. In this study, colorectal cancer cells treated with hydroxytyrosol demonstrated an increase in global DNA methylation, suggesting a potential gene target for this compound.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Julie Rondeaux, Deborah Groussard, Sylvanie Renet, Virginie Tardif, Anais Dumesnil, Alphonse Chu, Lea Di Maria, Theo Lemarcis, Manon Valet, Jean-Paul Henry, Zina Badji, Claire Vezier, Delphine Beziau-Gasnier, Annette E. Neele, Menno P. J. de Winther, Dominique Guerrot, Marjorie Brand, Vincent Richard, Eric Durand, Ebba Brakenhielm, Sylvain Fraineau
Summary: Epigenetic regulation of histone H3K27 methylation plays a key role in cardiac repair after myocardial infarction. The authors demonstrate the ectopic EZH2 and cytoplasmic inactive localization of EZH2 during monocyte differentiation and in immunomodulatory cardiac macrophages. Pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 resolves H3K27 methylation, enhances gene expression, and accelerates cardiac inflammatory resolution, preventing infarct expansion and cardiac dysfunction.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Maugeri, Martina Barchitta, Roberta Magnano San Lio, Giovanni Li Destri, Antonella Agodi, Guido Basile
Summary: Studies have shown that accelerated biological aging is positively associated with cancer risk and mortality, while assessing epigenetic age may help monitor individuals at risk for CRC. Additionally, aberrant epigenetic aging could potentially identify CRC patients with high recurrence risk and poor treatment response.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)