Epigenetics and MicroRNAs in Cancer

Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Feb 3;19(2):459. doi: 10.3390/ijms19020459.

Abstract

The ability to reprogram the transcriptional circuitry by remodeling the three-dimensional structure of the genome is exploited by cancer cells to promote tumorigenesis. This reprogramming occurs because of hereditable chromatin chemical modifications and the consequent formation of RNA-protein-DNA complexes that represent the principal actors of the epigenetic phenomena. In this regard, the deregulation of a transcribed non-coding RNA may be both cause and consequence of a cancer-related epigenetic alteration. This review summarizes recent findings that implicate microRNAs in the aberrant epigenetic regulation of cancer cells.

Keywords: epigenetics; human cancer; microRNAs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Chromatin / chemistry
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1 / genetics
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1 / metabolism
  • DNA Methylation
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • DNA, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genome, Human*
  • Histones / genetics
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Histones
  • MicroRNAs
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1
  • DNMT1 protein, human