title: Tumors smother their epigenome.
abstract: DNA hypermethylation is pervasive in tumors, but the factors triggering this modification are largely unknown. We recently demonstrated that the activity of 10-11-translocation methylcytosine dioxygenases, initiators of DNA demethylation, is compromised in hypoxic tumors. The resultant accumulation of methylation inactivates associated genes, linking the tumor microenvironment to epigenetic changes in cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thienpont
authors.affiliation: Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Laurien
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Dyck
authors.affiliation: Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Diether
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lambrechts
keywords: 5-hydroxymethylcytosine; 5-methylcytosine; DNA hypermethylation; Hypoxia; TET1; TET2; TET3; oncogenesis