The risk of cancer varies significantly across different body tissues, with a higher risk for colon and breast tissues than brain or bone tissues. Prior to tumor formation, normal tissues show abnormal patterns of DNA methylation—a type of epigenetic change that can affect gene activity without altering the DNA sequence.
Given that aberrant DNA methylation precedes tumor development and varies across cell types, researchers examined whether this epigenetic mark could explain variations in cancer risk across tissues. The authors used previously established genetic databases to collect extensive DNA methylation profiles from normal human tissues.
The levels of DNA methylation in different tissues were significantly correlated with lifetime risk for different cancer types. For example, colon and breast tissues showed much higher DNA methylation levels than brain tissues. For many different cell types, DNA methylation was mostly concentrated in a small number of molecules, suggesting that this epigenetic change could mark cancer-prone cells in a population.
Taken together, the findings suggest that the risk of cancer in a given tissue may be correlated with the number of abnormally methylated precancerous cells in that tissue. According to the authors, the results support the idea that genetic and epigenetic changes play critical roles in tumor biology.
Latest News
DNA attached to nanoparticl…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Mar
Neighboring synapses shape…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Mar
Complete vascularization of…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
Immune cells identified as…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
TB blood test which could d…
By newseditor
Posted 27 Mar
Other Top Stories
How taking breaks enhances learning process
Read more
Eating soft foods may alter the brain's control of chewing
Read more
A link between childhood stress and early molars
Read more
Omega-6 fatty acid-enriched western diet induces reversible periphe…
Read more
What is Thanatosis?
Read more
Protocols
Spatial proteomics in neuro…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
All-optical presynaptic pla…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
Epigenomic tomography for p…
By newseditor
Posted 20 Mar
A mouse DRG genetic toolkit…
By newseditor
Posted 17 Mar
An optogenetic method for t…
By newseditor
Posted 13 Mar
Publications
DNA corona on nanoparticles…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Mar
Co-dependent excitatory and…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Mar
A microfluidic platform int…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
Salmonella manipulates macr…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
BHLHE40/41 regulate microgl…
By newseditor
Posted 28 Mar
Presentations
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
RNA structure and functions
By newseditor
Posted 19 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar