title: Retinoids and epigenetic silencing in cancer.
abstract: An epigenetic event alters the activity of genes without changing their structure. Methylation reactions are important mediators of epigenetic events in cells. Two recent studies have established a mechanistic link between a vitamin A metabolite and epigenetic alterations of its target promoter that could provide insights about the role of vitamin A in cancer prevention.
mesh_terms: D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012176:Retinoids / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D012176:Retinoids