Targeting epigenome with dietary nutrients in cancer: Current advances and future challenges

Abstract

Tumorigenesis and epigenetic are closely linked with each other. Epigenetic changes are potential regulators of gene expression without involving any change in the DNA itself. More interestingly, epigenetic changes are reversible heritable changes which pass through generations. Many dietary bioactive ingredients regulate epigenetic control of cells and influence biochemical processes. Correlation between epigenetic regulation and cancer onset has been well established. Recent studies provide important information on the role of bioactive dietary components in cancer prevention and therapy. Several bioactive components are responsible for modification of the epigenome by affecting DNA methylation, histone modification, micro RNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). This review summarizes recent advancements in this field and describes the role of many bioactive components in regulating human epigenome and how these modifications can be exploited for prevention and treatment of cancer.

Keywords: Acetylation; Epigenome; Histones; Methylation; Natural products; Polyphenols; lncRNAs; miRNAs.