An overview of epigenetic mechanisms in health and disease

Abstract

Epigenetic modifications are emerging as key players in not only the regulation of normal genomic expression patterns, but also their role in disease progression due to their deregulation. An irregular change in DNA methylation, either through aberrant hypermethylation or hypomethylation, may have serious consequences relating to carcinogenesis by potentiating or preventing gene functions. Conversely, the reversal of abnormal hypermethylation has been aided by the advent of DNMT inhibitors to restore tumour suppressor gene function. In addition, the field of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) is expanding. The best characterised and seemingly most involved in pathogenesis remain..