DNA methylation changes in leukaemia.
Leukaemogenesis is a multi-step process whereby a clonal population arises that has undergone successive alterations to the genotype and the phenotype of the cells that make up the clone. Leukaemia has traditionally been viewed as a genetic disease, however epigenetic defects also play an important role. Expression of the DNA methyltransferase enzymes is elevated in leukaemia, and aberrant methylation is common with both a decrease in the total genomic 5-methylcytosine, and a concomitant hypermethylation of CpG island-associated tumour suppressor genes. This review will discuss the multitude of DNA methylation changes in haematopoietic malignancies and the implications they have for diagnosis and treatment.
Kanematsu Laboratories, Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
John R
JR
Melki
Susan J
SJ
Clark
D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D018899:CpG Islands; D000076123:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics; D019175:DNA Methylation; D000090205:DNA Methyltransferase 3A; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020868:Gene Silencing; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000235:genetics*; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics*
C000717967:DNMT3A protein, human; D008780:Methyltransferases; D000076123:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases; D000090205:DNA Methyltransferase 3A