Epigenetics refers to the inheritance of phenotypes through means other than through the genomic sequence. Epigenetic changes affect an individual’s phenotype by altering the chromatin via means of DNA methylation, histone methylation or acetylation, chromatin reshaping and RNA directed alterations (Rakyan and Beck, 2006).
In the article: ‘Epigenetic regulation of immune escape genes in cancer’ Tomasi, et al. (2006) discuss the affects of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in cancer. The authors suggested that a gene that is required to regulate the immune system to fight the onset of cancer was being altered by epigenetic processes. Epigenetic changes of DNA methylation, covalent modification of histones and transcription factors were noted by Tomasi, et al. These mechanisms prevent the gene from performing its function and effectively silence it and allow for tumour growth. Tomasi et al. suggest that due to the fact that epigenetic changes are reversible these specific genome alterations may be undone so the body can combat the invading cancer.
These discoveries open up many future opportunities in treating and preventing cancer in humans. DNA mutations are currently hard to correct, but when a gene is affected by epigenetic changes to the chromatin, it allows for an alternate treatment of the cancer.
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References:
Rakyan, V. K. and S. Beck (2006). Epigenetic variation and inheritance in mammals. Current Opinion in Genetics & Development 16:573-577.
Tomasi, T. B., W. J. Magner, and A. N. H. Khan (2006). Epigenetic regulation of immune escape genes in cancer. Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy 55:1159-1184.
