title: The role of parental and grandparental epigenetic alterations in familial cancer risk.
abstract: Epigenetic alterations of the genome such as DNA promoter methylation and chromatin remodeling play an important role in tumorigenesis. These modifications take place throughout development with subsequent events occurring later in adulthood. Recent studies, however, suggest that some epigenetic alterations that influence cancer risk are inherited through the germline from parent to child and are observed in multiple generations. Epigenetic changes may be inherited as Mendelian, non-Mendelian, or environmentally induced traits. Here, we will discuss Mendelian, non-Mendelian, and environmentally induced patterns of multigenerational epigenetic alterations as well as some possible mechanisms for how these events may be occurring.
authors.affiliation: Human Cancer Genetics Program and the Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Tim H-M
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Amanda Ewart
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Toland
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000235:genetics; D018899:CpG Islands; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000633:toxicity; D004777:Environment; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D000070957:MutL Protein Homolog 1; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010290:Parents; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D049951:X Chromosome Inactivation
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C476884:HOPX protein, human; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C501486:MLH1 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D000070957:MutL Protein Homolog 1