title: Constitutional epimutation as a mechanism for cancer causality and heritability?
abstract: Constitutional epimutation, which is an aberration in gene expression due to an altered epigenotype that is widely distributed in normal tissues (albeit frequently mosaic), provides an alternative mechanism to genetic mutation for cancer predisposition. Observational studies in cancer-affected families have revealed intergenerational inheritance of constitutional epimutation, providing unique insights into the heritability of epigenetic traits in humans. In this Opinion article, the potential contribution of constitutional epimutation to the 'missing' causality and heritability of cancer is explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (Oncology), Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Grant Building S169, 1291 Welch Road, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Megan P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hitchins
mesh_terms: D057890:Epigenomics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D040941:Heredity; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*