title: DNA methylome alterations in chemical carcinogenesis.
abstract: Carcinogenesis, a complex multifactorial process of the transformation of normal cells into malignant cells, is characterized by many biologically significant and interdependent alterations triggered by the mutational and/or non-mutational (i.e., epigenetic) events. One of these events, specific to all types of cancer, is alterations in DNA methylation. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the role of DNA methylation changes induced by various genotoxic chemicals (carcinogenic agents that interact with DNA) and non-genotoxic carcinogens (chemicals causing tumor by mechanisms other than directly damaging DNA) in the lung, colorectal, liver, and hematologic carcinogenesis. It also emphasizes the potential role for epigenetic changes to serve as markers for carcinogen exposure and carcinogen risk assessment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA. Electronic address: igor.pogribny@fda.hhs.gov.
authors.forename: Igor P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Pogribny
authors.affiliation: Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA. Electronic address: frederick.beland@fda.hhs.gov.
authors.forename: Frederick A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Beland
mesh_terms: D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D015254:DNA Modification Methylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000235:genetics; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D009153:Mutagens; D015254:DNA Modification Methylases