Loss of methyl groups in genes may cause cancer
[China Pharmaceutical Network Science and Technology News] A research team led by Francis Nally of the Leibniz Institute of Human Aging confirmed for the first time that when the promoter of a gene loses methyl groups , genes will go wrong. The result is the production of abnormal proteins, which interferes with the composition of normal cells, causing large-scale damage to cell functions and identity. Cells mutate and may lead to cancer. This is a mysterious process of DNA methylation.
(Loss of methyl groups in genes may cause cancer. Image source: Baidu Pictures)
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Every cell in the human body contains a complete DNA gene, which not only contains all the genetic information of the human body, but the so-called methyl groups in the gene are essential components of human tissue. Researchers at the Institute of Human Aging in Jena, Germany, have confirmed for the first time that DNA errors and loss of methylation are an important cause of cancer. The research results were published in the latest issue of the journal Nature.
Every tissue in the human body is composed of tissue-specific cells with specific properties. Gene selection is very strict, for example, in intestinal cells only the corresponding gene catalog is activated to become intestinal cells. Playing an important role in the gene regulation process are so-called methyl groups, which activate genes through the action of enzymes. This is called DNA methylation. When the human body gets cancer or suffers from aging diseases, the activity of normal gene segments will go wrong. The exact process and the role of DNA methylation have not been fully studied so far.
The function of DNA methylation as a “switch” (promoter) for gene activation is well understood, but why methyl groups exist within a single gene (the so-called gene body) is still unclear. . A research team led by Francis Nally of the Leibniz Institute of Human Aging has demonstrated for the first time that when a methyl group is lost in the promoter of a gene, the gene will go wrong. The result is the production of abnormal proteins, which interferes with the composition of normal cells, causing large-scale damage to cell functions and identity. Cells mutate and may lead to cancer. This is a mysterious process of DNA methylation.
Dr. Francis Nally said in the research report: “The results of this study are exciting because we now finally understand why the DNA in many cancer cells has very few methyl groups. It is its lack that causes genes to be in an abnormally active state, produce abnormal proteins, and allow cancer cells to spread.” Different from the natural degeneration in the DNA life cycle, those changes that occur due to the loss of DNA methylation can in principle be resolved through Regulation is carried out by so-called chemical messenger substances. Dr. Nally believes: “Without DNA methylation in the genome, protein mutations may occur. This is a completely new understanding, which will provide new ways to treat cancer. If we find a way to transfer methyl groups By reaching the exposed DNA sequence of cancer cells, it is possible to prevent cancer cells from multiplying.” (Reporter Gu Gang)
