title: MacroH2A--an epigenetic regulator of cancer.
abstract: Epigenetic regulation is one of the most promising and expanding areas of cancer research. One of the emerging, but least understood aspects of epigenetics is the facultative and locus-specific incorporation of histone variants and their function in chromatin. With the characterization of the first loss of function phenotypes of the macroH2A histone variants, previously unrecognized epigenetic mechanisms have now moved into the spotlight of cancer research. Here, we summarize data supporting different molecular mechanisms that could mediate the primarily tumor suppressive function of macroH2A. We further discuss context-dependent and isoform-specific functions. The aim of this review is to provide guidance for those assessing macroH2A's potential as biomarker or therapeutic intervention point.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (IMPPC), Crta. Can Ruti, Cami de les Escoles, 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Neus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cantariño
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Douet
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buschbeck
mesh_terms: D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D057890:Epigenomics; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; C120756:macroH2A histone