Derangement of a factor upstream of RARalpha triggers the repression of a pleiotropic epigenetic network.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chromatin adapts and responds to extrinsic and intrinsic cues. We hypothesize that inheritable aberrant chromatin states in cancer and aging are caused by genetic/environmental factors. In previous studies we demonstrated that either genetic mutations, or loss, of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARalpha), can impair the integration of the retinoic acid (RA) signal at the chromatin of RA-responsive genes downstream of RARalpha, and can lead to aberrant repressive chromatin states marked by epigenetic modifications. In this study we tested whether the mere interference with the availability of RA signal at RARalpha, in cells with an otherwise functional RARalpha, can also induce epigenetic repression at RA-responsive genes downstream of RARalpha.

Methodology/principal fi

SUBMITTER: Corlazzoli F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2627936 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature