A gene expression signature identifying transient DNMT1 depletion as a causal factor of cancer-germline gene activation in melanoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Many human tumors show aberrant activation of a group of germline-specific genes, termed cancer-germline (CG) genes, several of which appear to exert oncogenic functions. Although activation of CG genes in tumors has been linked to promoter DNA demethylation, the mechanisms underlying this epigenetic alteration remain unclear. Two main processes have been proposed: awaking of a gametogenic program directing demethylation of target DNA sequences via specific regulators, or general deficiency of DNA methylation activities resulting from mis-targeting or down-regulation of the DNMT1 methyltransferase.

Results

By the analysis of transcriptomic data, we searched to identify gene expression changes associated with CG gene activation in melanoma cells. We found no eviden

SUBMITTER: Cannuyer J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4620642 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature