DNA methylation and atherosclerosis.
DNA methylation is a major epigenetic modification of the genome that has the potential to silence gene expression. Recently, the role of epigenetic alteration as a distinct and crucial mechanism to regulate genes governing cell proliferation in atherosclerosis has emerged. Aberrant methylation is related to aging, and, because it affects a large number of CpG islands, age-related methylation may be an important contributor to increased atherosclerosis among older individuals by upregulating atherosclerosis-susceptible genes and downregulating atherosclerosis-protective genes. Further dissection of epigenetic alterations in atherosclerosis and aging will lead to the identification of novel epigenetic modifiers and improved diagnosis and treatment for atherosclerosis-related diseases.
Dong
Chunming
C
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Yoon
Woohyun
W
Goldschmidt-Clermont
Pascal J
PJ
D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans
D006710:Homocysteine