title: An epigenetic view of developmental diseases: new targets, new therapies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Function of epigenetic modifications is one of the most competitive fields in life science. Over the past several decades, it has been revealed that epigenetic modifications play essential roles in development and diseases including developmental diseases. In the present review, we summarize the recent progress about the function of epigenetic regulation, especially DNA and RNA modifications in developmental diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Original research articles and literature reviews published in PubMed-indexed journals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DNA modifications including methylation and demethylation can regulate gene expression, and are involved in development and multiple diseases including Rett syndrome, Autism spectrum disorders, congenital heart disease and cancer, etc. RNA methylation and demethylation play important roles in RNA processing, reprogramming, circadian, and neuronal activity, and then modulate development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DNA and RNA modifications play important roles in development and diseases through regulating gene expression. Epigenetic components could serve as novel targets for the treatment of developmental diseases.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Pei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Li-Qun
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Zang
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.|Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xue-Kun
authors.initials: XK
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. shuqiang@zju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Shu
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019175:DNA Methylation; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012313:RNA
keywords: 5-hydroxymethylcytosine; DNA modification; RNA modification; congenital heart disease; development; neurological disorders