Department of Immunology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong, China.
Shandong Xinchuang Biotechnology Co., LTD, Jinan 250102, Shandong, China; Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhangqiu District People's Hospital of Jinan, Jinan 250200, Shandong, China.
Exp Mol Pathol. 2023 Dec;134:104871. doi: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2023.104871. Epub 2023 Sep 13.
Homeobox (HOX) genes encode highly conserved transcription factors that play vital roles in embryonic development. DNA methylation is a pivotal regulatory epigenetic signaling mark responsible for regulating gene expression. Abnormal DNA methylation is largely associated with the aberrant expression of HOX genes, which is implicated in a broad range of human diseases, including cancer. Numerous studies have clarified the mechanisms of DNA methylation in both physiological and pathological processes. In this review, we focus on how DNA methylation regulates HOX genes and briefly discuss drug development approaches targeting these mechanisms.
同源盒（HOX）基因编码高度保守的转录因子，在胚胎发育中发挥着至关重要的作用。DNA 甲基化是一种关键的调节性表观遗传信号标记，负责调节基因表达。异常的 DNA 甲基化与 HOX 基因的异常表达密切相关，这与广泛的人类疾病有关，包括癌症。许多研究已经阐明了 DNA 甲基化在生理和病理过程中的机制。在这篇综述中，我们重点讨论了 DNA 甲基化如何调节 HOX 基因，并简要讨论了针对这些机制的药物开发方法。
