Epigenetic changes in individuals with arsenicosis

Chem Res Toxicol. 2011 Feb 18;24(2):165-7. doi: 10.1021/tx1004419. Epub 2011 Feb 4.

Abstract

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is an environmental toxicant currently poisoning millions of people worldwide, and chronically exposed individuals are susceptible to arsenicosis or arsenic poisoning. Using a state-of-the-art technique to map the methylomes of our study subjects, we identified a large interactome of hypermethylated genes that are enriched for their involvement in arsenic-associated diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Notably, we have uncovered an arsenic-induced tumor suppressorome, a complex of 17 tumor suppressors known to be silenced in human cancers. This finding represents a pivotal clue in unraveling a possible epigenetic mode of arsenic-induced disease.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Arsenic / toxicity*
  • Arsenic Poisoning / genetics*
  • CpG Islands
  • DNA Methylation
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Humans
  • Mexico
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*
  • Water Supply

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Arsenic