Role of nuclear architecture in epigenetic alterations in cancer

Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol. 2010:75:507-15. doi: 10.1101/sqb.2010.75.031. Epub 2011 Mar 29.

Abstract

It is widely accepted that cancer results from an array of epigenetic and genetic alterations, particularly aberrant epigenetic patterns that are a hallmark of every cancer type studied. Another well-known feature of cancer cells is the array of abnormalities in their nuclear structure. Although it is known that nuclear structure has an important role in the regulation of gene expression, we know little about the direct relationship between nuclear structural alterations and aberrant epigenetic patterns in cancer. Here, we discuss some of the recent studies from our lab and others to understand the relationship between alterations of nuclear architecture and aberrant epigenetic patterns in cancer cells. Although the precise relationship remains elusive, we suggest that changes in nuclear structure and composition could alter long-range genomic interactions and cause global epigenetic changes during tumorigenesis. We emphasize the need for further studies to elucidate the direct relationship between nuclear structure alterations and aberrant epigenetic patterns in cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / chemistry*
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Models, Genetic
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Nuclear Proteins