Epigenetic interplays between DNA demethylation and histone methylation for protecting oncogenesis.

Epigenetic systems are organized by different types of modifications on histones and DNA. To determine how epigenetic systems can produce variable, yet stable cellular outcomes, understanding the collaboration between these modifications is the key. A recent study by Yamagata and Kobayashi revealed the direct interplay between the regulation of two epigenetic modifications: DNA de-methylation by TET2 and histone H3-K36 methylation. Mechanistically, this finding could explain how cells are protected from oncogenesis by maintaining the integrity of active transcription. The recent identification of epigenetic modifier mutations in leukaemia suggested that it is not just the turning 'on' and 'off' of particular transcriptional events that causes disease occurrence, but rather it is the aberration in epigenetic regulation, i.e. the timing and duration of the activation/inactivation of these transcripts. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of how epigenetic interplays tune transcription will be the new perspective for disease research.