DNA methylation of distal regulatory sites characterizes dysregulation of cancer genes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Abnormal epigenetic marking is well documented in gene promoters of cancer cells, but the study of distal regulatory siteshas lagged behind.We performed a systematic analysis of DNA methylation sites connected with gene expression profilesacross normal and cancerous human genomes.

Results

Utilizing methylation and expression data in 58 cell types, we developed a model for methylation-expression relationships in gene promoters and extrapolated it to the genome. We mapped numerous sites at which DNA methylation was associated with expression of distal genes. These sites bind transcription factors in a methylation-dependent manner, and carry the chromatin marks of a particular class of transcriptional enhancers. In contrast to the traditional model of one enhancer si

SUBMITTER: Aran D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4053839 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature