Review

British Journal of Cancer (2004) 90, 761–769. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6601575 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 17 February 2004

Linking the epigenetic 'language' of covalent histone modifications to cancer

S B Hake1, A Xiao1 and C D Allis1

1Laboratory of Chromatin Biology, The Rockefeller University, Box 78, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA

Correspondence: Dr CD Allis, E-mail: alliscd@rockefeller.edu

Received 29 September 2003; Accepted 11 November 2003.

Top

Abstract

Covalent modifications of histones, such as acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation, and other epigenetic modulations of the chromatin, such as methylation of DNA and ATP-dependent chromatin reorganisation, can play a major part in the multistep process of carcinogenesis, with far-reaching implications for human biology and human health. This review focuses on how aberrant covalent histone modifications may contribute to the development of a variety of human cancers, and discusses the recent findings with regard to potential therapies.

Keywords:

histones, chromatin, cancer, epigenetics

Top

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated

REVIEWS

Epigenetic regulation in psychiatric disorders

Nature Reviews Neuroscience Review (01 May 2007)

The fundamental role of epigenetic events in cancer

Nature Reviews Genetics Review (01 Jun 2002)

See all 49 matches for Reviews

NEWS AND VIEWS

The mojo of methylation

Nature Genetics News and Views (01 Sep 1999)

Breaking the silence in Friedreich's ataxia

Nature Chemical Biology News and Views (01 Oct 2006)

See all 3 matches for News And Views