METHYLATION OF CELLULAR DNA AND PATHOLOGY OF THE ORGANISM

Abstract

Abstract. In spite of stable opinions concerning clear pathogenetic differences in main disease states (i.e., cancer, atherosclerosis, autoimmune and allergic diseases), there are sufficient reasons to assume some fundamental processes, that are common to development of these diseases, and represent a general factor of their pathogenesis. Such processes include, e.g., DNA methylation and demethylation events, acetylation and deacetylation of histones, the processes of telomere shortening connected with telomerase activity. It proves that, at least, cancer, atherosclerosis, and autoimmune diseases are characterized by total hypomethylation of different cellular elements, against «recurrent» DNA hypermethylation of single specific genes in the background. It is assumed that information about such common developmental mechanisms for different disease states may evoke an issue of a search for some common approaches to treatment of these diseases, along with elaboration of conventional treatment modalities, being specific to individual pathology. (Med. Immunol., vol. 10, N 4-5, pp 307-318).

Keywords

• methylation
• dna
• histones
• acetylation
• gene