[Epigenome and human disease].
Epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation and histone modifications, mark genes to be used and not to be used, and are stably inherited in somatic cells. Epigenome is their genome-wide compilation, and undergoes dynamic changes in development, differentiation, and reprogramming. Epigenomic changes are causally involved in cancer development and progression by inducing silencing of tumor-suppressor genes and genomic instability. Aberrant DNA methylation can accumulate in a large fraction of cells even in tissues without clonal lesions, which indicates that epigenomic changes can potentially affect functions of a tissue. Multiple reports show that epigenomic changes are present in acquired neurological, metabolic, and immunological disorders, and more research in the field is urgently necessary.
Ushijima
Toshikazu
T
Carcinogenesis Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute.
Katsurano
Miki
M
Asada
Kiyoshi
K
D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics
D006657:Histones