title: Epigenetics in Cystic Fibrosis: Epigenetic Targeting of a Genetic Disease.
abstract: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a deadly genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. A mutation in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene is the cause of the disease. How epigenetics contributes to CFTR expression is still poorly understood. Epigenetics is a mechanism that alters gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms include DNA methylation and histone modification. Both mechanisms have been implicated in CFTR gene regulation. Here we review epigenetic regulation of CFTR transcription while discussing potential epigenetic targeting strategies including DNA methyltransferase, histone deacetylase, and histone methyltransferase and demethylase inhibition. Because of the reversibility of epigenetics, targeting epigenetic mechanisms has been an attractive therapeutic approach. However, epigenetic targeting of CF disease is still at its infant stage.
authors.forename: Nualpun
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sirinupong
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 East Canfield Street, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA. zyang@med.wayne.edu.
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000235:genetics*; D015254:DNA Modification Methylases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006655:Histone Deacetylases; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation
chemical_list: C505032:CFTR protein, human; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; D015254:DNA Modification Methylases; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; D006655:Histone Deacetylases