“Newborn” (or de novo) DNA sequences come into this world just like newborn human babies—naked. So, how do new sequences get their DNA methylation on? Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences say they’ve figured out what happens after the histones settle in: H3 tails that lack methylation at K4 bind to and activate de […]
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Tumor Suppressor Methylation is Cause for Cancer Concern
Aberrant DNA methylation causes cancer. Wait, didn’t we know this already? Well, not exactly. Association and causation are two very different things. For instance, being smart may be associated with wearing glasses, but the actual cause is a desire to not bump into everything. In order to determine whether aberrant DNA methylation at particular loci […]
5-mC Stabilizes High-Maintenance Methyltransferases
Many things in life–like diets, exercise routines, and blogs–are easier to start than maintain. The same can be said for DNA methylation. De novo methyltransferases establish DNA methylation patterns in embryonic stem cells, but exactly how somatic cells maintain these patterns is puzzling. Now researchers at the University of Southern California have identified a new […]
Take a Bite Out of Cancer with the Epigenetics Diet
What’s your idea of a perfect meal? Whether you’re into the In-N-Out burger, fries, and milkshake trifecta, or you’re more of a “cleanse” type, the epigenetics enthusiast in you will be interested in a recent review by Trygve Tollefsbol and colleagues that reveals that certain foods contain ingredients that may prevent and treat cancer. Although […]
DNA Methylation: 2010 2nd Half Editor’s Favorites
DNA methylation was heating up in the second half of 2010 in hot pursuit of determining roles for 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, creating bisufite alternatives and uncovering DNAm’s role in disease. Have a look at some of our favorite articles from the last six months: 5-hmC and Stem Cells Anytime you put together a new biological role for […]