Epigenetics and Cancer

EPIGENETIC

S

AND CANCER

J I LL I A

N FRO E L I C

K , GRAC E L EM P P ,

N I KH I L U

M E SH , PA I G

E TUMMONS

THERE ARE 3 MAIN EPIGENETIC MECHANISMS. THEY ARE…

DNA METHYLATIONHISTONE ACETYLATIONAND NON-CODING RNA

IN THE METHYLATION OF A TUMOR-SUPPRESSOR GENE…

1. A methyl group

attaches directly to the

gene.

2.The tumor-suppressor

gene can’t be transcribed because

the transcription complex can’t bind.

3. With the tumor-

suppressor gene inactivated, cell

division isn’t regulated.

4.

Cancer cells are able to

multiply.

WHEN DNA HISTONES OF A TUMOR-

SUPPRESSOR GENE ARE DEACETYLATED…

1. An acetyl group is

removed from the lysine of a histone

tail.

2. Chromatin, which was

previously loose, is now tightly compacted.

3. The tumor-suppressor

gene cannot be transcribed.

4.


multiply.

WHEN MICRORNA PREVENTS

TRANSLATION OF SPECIFIC GENES…

1. It downregulates methyltransferases,

preventing the methylation of tumor-

suppressor genes.

2. A decrease in

microRNA allows methyltransferase to methylate DNA.

3.Methylation of a tumor-suppressor gene allows

for uncontrolled cell growth.

4.


multiply.

EPIGENETIC THERAPY

Utilizes DNA methylation inhibitors to reverse DNA

methylation in tumor-suppressor

genes.

1.

2. Uses histone deacetylase (HDAC)

inhibitors to prevent the

deacetylation of histones bound to tumor suppressor

genes.

CONCLUSION

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