ONCOGENIC MECHANISMS MEDIATED BY DNA METHYLATION

Cancer is often viewed as a genetic process in which the developing ca ncer cell acquires successive mutational lesions that each provide the cell with a growth or survival advantage. The focus on genetic altera tions in cancer research has perhaps led to an underestimation of the contribution by epigenetics. Epigenetic events ave heritable alteratio ns in gene function that are mediated by factors other than changes in primary DNA sequence; 5-methylcytosine DNA methylation is a good exam ple. This article reviews current insights into the contribution of DN A methylation to mutational and epigenetic mechanisms of oncogenesis.