Emerging technologies for studying DNA methylation for the molecular diagnosis of cancer.

ABSTRACT: DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that plays a key role in regulating gene expression and other functions. Although this modification is seen in different sequence contexts, the most frequently detected DNA methylation in mammals involves cytosine-guanine dinucleotides. Pathological alterations in DNA methylation patterns are described in a variety of human diseases, including cancer. Unlike genetic changes, DNA methylation is heavily influenced by subtle modifications in the cellular microenvironment. In all cancers, aberrant DNA methylation is involved in the alteration of a large number of oncological pathways with relevant theranostic utility. Several technologies for DNA methylation mapping have been developed recently and successfully applied in cancer studies. The scope of

SUBMITTER: Marzese DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4422757 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature