How DNA silencing can promote cancer formation
April 2nd, 2011 - 4:47 pm ICT by ANIWashington, April 02 (ANI): A new study has explained how DNA silencing can promote cancer.
Cells control which genes they express by multiple mechanisms, one of which is the direct modification of DNA with small molecules. Methylation of genes effectively silences them, and excess DNA methylation, particularly of genes that control the cell cycle, is known to promote cancer formation.
However, it is unclear whether the enzymes that modify DNA in this way target specific genes or whether random modifications select cells for enhanced tumorigenic capactiy.
In new research, Rudolf Jaenisch and colleagues, at the Whitehead Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, investigated DNA methylation in a mouse model of colon cancer.
They found that a DNA methylating enzyme, Dnmt3b, targeted specific genes for silencing, and that these genes were similar to those silenced in human tumors. In addition, the researchers believe that their results show that aberrant DNA methylation may be one of the initiating events in the development of cancer. (ANI)
- All adult cells can be reprogrammed into becoming stem-like cells: Study - Nov 09, 2009
- Small molecules 'could block cell proliferation in cancerous human tumor' - Apr 14, 2011
- Higher levels of folate in RBCs linked to silenced tumor-suppressors - Dec 23, 2010
- Aging-related gene plays role in stem cell differentiation - Jun 05, 2010
- Enzyme crucial to DNA replication may be potent anti-cancer drug target - Apr 15, 2011
- Mechanism that could provide potential cure for diabetes identified - Apr 30, 2011
- DNA test to detect early bowel cancer could be 1 step closer - Mar 05, 2011
- Aging-related protein holds breast cancer clues - Jan 28, 2011
- Fatal lung vascular disease 'caused by silencing of genes' - Jun 08, 2010
- New study confirms smoking, cancer link - Oct 10, 2010
- Overabundance of protein promotes growth of breast cancer stem cells - Feb 16, 2011
- Genetic change helps lung tumors spread to other parts of the body - Apr 07, 2011
- All mammalian genes can be set on pause - Apr 30, 2010
- 231 new genes linked with head and neck cancer identified - Oct 05, 2009
- New 'poison' discovery could pave way for leukaemia therapy - Dec 04, 2010
Tags: cambridge massachusetts, cancer cells, cancer formation, colleagues, colon cancer, dna methylation, enzymes, genes, human tumors, mechanisms, molecules, mouse model, rudolf jaenisch, silences, target, whitehead institute