ObjectiveTo investigate the difference of DNA methylation before and after bariatric surgery.MethodThe relevant literatures of the research on the changes of DNA methylation level and gene expression regulation in blood and tissues before and after bariatric surgery were retrieved and reviewed.ResultsDNA methylation was an important method of epigenetic regulation in organisms and its role in bariatric surgery had been paid more and more attention in recent years. Existing studies had found that there were changes of DNA methylation in blood and tissues before and after bariatric surgery. The degree of methylation varies with different follow-up time after bariatric surgery and the same gene had different degrees of methylation in different tissues, and some even had the opposite results.ConclusionsDNA methylation levels before and after bariatric surgery are different in different tissues. And studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up time are needed, to further reveal relationship among DNA methylation, obesity, and bariatric surgery.
ObjectiveTo summarize the therapeutic targets of pancreatic cancer (PC). MethodsThe related literatures about the therapeutic targets of PC were reviewed. ResultsPC was one of the most challenging tumor in worldwide, and was characterized as a highly aggressive disease with poor overall prognosis and a high mortality rate. The hallmark of PC was its poor response to radio-and chemo-therapy. Current chemotherapeutic regimens could not provide substantial survival benefit with a clear increase in overall survival. Recently, several new approaches which could significantly improve the clinical outcome of PC had been described, involving signal-transduction pathways, immune response, stroma reaction, and epigenetic changes. ConclusionsMany therapeutic targets are involved in the treatment of PC. As current therapies failed to significantly improve the progression and the survival of PC, new therapeutic approaches and clinical studies are strongly required.
ObjectiveTo summarize the current research status of the relationship between DNA methylation and liver regeneration.MethodThe related literatures at home and abroad were searched to review the studies on relationships between the methylation level of liver cells, regulation of gene expression, and methylation related proteins and liver regeneration.ResultsThe DNA methylation was an important epigenetic regulation method in vivo and its role in the liver regeneration had been paid more and more attentions in recent years. The existing studies had found the epigenetic phenomena during the liver regeneration such as the genomic hypomethylation, methylation changes of related proliferating genes and DNA methyltransferase and UHRF1 regulation of the liver regeneration.ConclusionsThere are many relationships between DNA methylation and liver regeneration. Regulation of liver regeneration from DNA methylation level is expected to become a reality in the near future.
Cardiovascular disease has been a major threat to human’s health and lives for many years. It is of great importance to explore the mechanisms and develop strategies to prevent the pathogenesis. Generally, cardiovascular disease is associated with endothelial dysfunction, which is closely related to the nitric oxide (NO)mediated vasodilatation. The release of NO is regulated by NOS3 gene in mammals’ vascular system. A great deal of evidences have shown that the polymorphism and epigenetic of NOS3 gene play vital roles in the pathological process of cardiovascular disease. To gain insights into the role of NOS3 in the cardiovascular diseases, we reviewed the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of cardiovascular diseases in this paper, including the uncoupling of NOS3 protein, epigenetic and polymorphism of NOS3 gene. The review can also offer possible strategies to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.
Recent advances in epigenetics indicate that several epigenetic modifications, including acetylation, methylatio, and microRNA (miRNA), play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI). Our study reveales that enhancement of protein acetylation by pharmacological inhibition of class I histone deacetylases leads to more severe tubular injury, and delays the restoration of renal structure and function. The changes in promoter DNA methylation occurs in the kidney with ischemia/reperfusion. MiRNA expression is associated with the regulation of both renal injury and regeneration after AKI. Targeting the epigenetic process may provide a therapeutic treatment for patients with AKI. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent advances in epigenetic regulation of AKI and provide mechanistic insight into the role of acetylation, methylation, and miRNA expression in the pathological processes of AKI.
RNA can be labeled by more than 170 chemical modifications after transcription, and these chemical modifications are collectively referred to as RNA modifications. It opened a new chapter of epigenetic research and became a major research hotspot in recent years. RNA modification regulates the expression of genes from the transcriptome level by regulating the fate of RNA, thus participating in many biological processes and disease occurrence and development. With the deepening of research, the diversity and complexity of RNA modification, as well as its physiological significance and potential as a therapeutic target, can not be ignored.