title: Epigenetic stem cell signature in cancer.
abstract: Embryonic stem cells rely on Polycomb group proteins to reversibly repress genes required for differentiation. We report that stem cell Polycomb group targets are up to 12-fold more likely to have cancer-specific promoter DNA hypermethylation than non-targets, supporting a stem cell origin of cancer in which reversible gene repression is replaced by permanent silencing, locking the cell into a perpetual state of self-renewal and thereby predisposing to subsequent malignant transformation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Oncology, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London WC1E 6DH, UK. M.Widschwendter@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Widschwendter
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fiegl
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Egle
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mueller-Holzner
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spizzo
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marth
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Weisenberger
authors.forename: Mihaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campan
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Laird
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D063146:Polycomb-Group Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D063146:Polycomb-Group Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins