Epigenetic analyses of brain tumor stem cells

It has been reported that cancer initiating cells (cancer stem cells, CSCS) are present in human neoplasia. Although it is known that stem cells play a role in tumorigenesis, the early epigenetic events involved in the development of malignant precursors remain unknown. Here, we reviewed the epigene...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inBrain and nerve = Shinkei kenkyū no shinpo Vol. 61; no. 7; p. 791
Main Authors Natsume, Atsushi, Kondo, Yutaka, Wakabayashi, Toshihiko
Format Journal Article
LanguageJapanese
Published Japan 01.07.2009
Subjects
Brain Neoplasms - genetics
Brain Neoplasms - pathology
Brain Neoplasms - therapy
DNA Methylation
Epigenesis, Genetic
Genes, Tumor Suppressor
Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase - physiology
Humans
Neoplastic Stem Cells
Silencer Elements, Transcriptional
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:It has been reported that cancer initiating cells (cancer stem cells, CSCS) are present in human neoplasia. Although it is known that stem cells play a role in tumorigenesis, the early epigenetic events involved in the development of malignant precursors remain unknown. Here, we reviewed the epigenetic modifications involved in the induction of human brain tumors, particularly focusing on polycomb-repressive complex-mediated histone (H3) lysine (K) 27 tri-methylation (K27-3Me) and other DNA methylation patterns, which are known to act as transcriptional silencing machineries for tumor-suppressor genes, in brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs). Among the histone modifications associated with H3K27-3Me, the potential role of EZH2 histone methyltransferase, which is the catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2, in the formation of brain tumors has been discussed. In addition, we considered the prospects for developing epigenetic therapies.
ISSN:1881-6096