Effects of ionizing radiation on DNA methylation: from experimental biology to clinical applications.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Ionizing radiation (IR) is a ubiquitous environmental stressor with genotoxic and epigenotoxic capabilities. Terrestrial IR, predominantly a low-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, is being widely utilized in medicine, as well as in multiple industrial applications. Additionally, an interest in understanding the effects of high-LET irradiation is emerging due to the potential of exposure during space missions and the growing utilization of high-LET radiation in medicine.

Conclusions

In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the effects of IR on DNA methylation, a key epigenetic mechanism regulating the expression of genetic information. We discuss global, repetitive elements and gene-specific DNA methylation in light of exposure to high and low doses

SUBMITTER: Miousse IR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5411327 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature