Cited by 1,199Epigenetics and DNA MethylationGenomics and Chromatin DynamicsCancer-related gene regulation

Gene Body Methylation Can Alter Gene Expression and Is a Therapeutic Target in Cancer

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Yang, Xiaojing, Han, Han, De Carvalho, Daniel D., Lay, Fides D., Jones, Peter A., Liang, Gangning·2014·Cancer Cell

Abstract

DNA methylation in promoters is well known to silence genes and is the presumed therapeutic target of methylation inhibitors. Gene body methylation is positively correlated with expression, yet its function is unknown. We show that 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment not only reactivates genes but decreases the overexpression of genes, many of which are involved in metabolic processes regulated by c-MYC. Downregulation is caused by DNA demethylation of the gene bodies and restoration of high levels of expression requires remethylation by DNMT3B. Gene body methylation may, therefore, be an unexpected therapeutic target for DNA methylation inhibitors, resulting in the normalization of gene overexpression induced during carcinogenesis. Our results provide direct evidence for a causal relationship between gene body methylation and transcription.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.ccr.2014.07.028

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  1. Salem CE Markl ID Bender CM Gonzales FA Jones PA Liang G PAX6 methylation and ectopic expression in human tumor cells Int J Cancer 2000 87 179 185 10861471

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Authors
Yang, X., Han, H., De Carvalho, D. D., Lay, F. D., Jones, P. A., & Liang, G.
Affiliations
University of Southern California (US)
Corresponding author
  • Jones, Peter A.
  • Liang, Gangning
Venue
Cancer Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2014-10
Volume
26
Issue
4
Pages
577-590
ISSN
1535-6108 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2055986128
Cited by
1,199
References
62
Citations by year
2026: 61 · 2025: 77 · 2024: 104 · 2023: 109 · 2022: 105 · 2021: 120 · 2020: 120 · 2019: 134 · 2018: 128 · 2017: 97 · 2016: 79 · 2015: 55 · 2014: 8
FWCI
32.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cancer Cell (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Cancer Institute (R01CA170550, R01CA124518, R01CA082422, P30CA014089, R37CA082422)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Cancer-related gene regulation
Keywords
gene body methylation, DNA methylation, decitabine, DNA demethylation, DNMT3B, c-Myc, gene overexpression, transcriptional regulation, DNA methylation inhibitors, cancer therapy, carcinogenesis, metabolic genes
MeSH terms
Cell Division, Colonic Neoplasms, Humans, Promoter Regions, Genetic, Gene Expression, DNA Methylation

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