Brock Malcolm V, Herman James G, Baylin Stephen B
The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21205-2196, USA.
Cancer J. 2007 Jan-Feb;13(1):3-8. doi: 10.1097/PPO.0b013e31803c5415.
In this article we review many important epigenetic changes in early carcinogenesis and discuss the possibility of these alterations being targeted for therapeutic intervention in the future. Both regional DNA methylation and global chromatin packaging are interrelated partners that function in concert to control gene transcription. We first summarize briefly DNA methylation and its role in gene expression. Then, we focus on how the DNA is packaged into chromatin and the tight relationship between chromatin and DNA methylation. A more complete understanding of these key, regulatory events is vital in approaching a more rational drug therapy to various malignancies.
在本文中，我们回顾了早期致癌过程中许多重要的表观遗传变化，并讨论了未来将这些改变作为治疗干预靶点的可能性。区域DNA甲基化和整体染色质包装是相互关联的伙伴，它们协同发挥作用以控制基因转录。我们首先简要总结DNA甲基化及其在基因表达中的作用。然后，我们重点关注DNA如何包装成染色质以及染色质与DNA甲基化之间的紧密关系。更全面地了解这些关键的调控事件对于制定针对各种恶性肿瘤的更合理药物治疗至关重要。
