Epigenetic methylation and its implication in cancer and neurodegeneration

Epigenetics has become a fast-growing area of study in cellular biology. An epigenetic trait is defined as a stably inherited phenotype resulting from changes in a chromosome without alterations in the DNA sequence (1). These types of modifications are essential for normal cellular function, assisting in the activation or repression of necessary genes in various stages of development. There are instances, though, in which the modifications can be altered to induce irregular gene transcription. In these cases, the results can provoke various forms of disease. In mammals, epigenetic methylation has been found to play an important part in all forms of cancer, with two key areas of alteration. These are the specific methylation of sequences of DNA, as well as modifications on the histones surrounding DNA. Since the discovery of their involvement in the change of gene expression, histone modifications and DNA methylation have been implicated in diseases other than cancer, such as neurological disorders including schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. One very important aspect of epigenetic methylation is its reversibility. This key property has created a promising field of epigenetic therapy, which has led to the development of several FDA approved drugs for cancer treatment. It has also generated several new and exciting ideas for future paths of treatment.M.S.Includes bibliographical referencesby Terence J. Purdo