Mechanisms of Disease: methyl-binding domain proteins as potential therapeutic targets in cancer

Sansom, O. , Maddison, K. and Clarke, A. (2007) Mechanisms of Disease: methyl-binding domain proteins as potential therapeutic targets in cancer. Nature Clinical Practice Oncology, 4(5), pp. 305-315. (doi: 10.1038/ncponc0812)

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Abstract

The methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins 'read' and interpret the methylation moieties on DNA, and thus are critical mediators of many epigenetic processes. Currently, the MBD family comprises five members; MBD1, MBD2, MBD3, MBD4 and MeCP2. Although not a 'classical' MBD protein, Kaiso also mediates transcriptional repression by using zinc finger domains to bind its targets. Since DNA hypermethylation is a well-recognized mechanism underlying gene silencing events in both tumorigenesis and drug resistance, it is likely that the MBD proteins may be important modulators of tumorigenesis. We review the recent work addressing this possibility, and discuss several of the MBD proteins as potentially excellent novel therapeutic targets.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Sansom, Professor Owen
Authors: Sansom, O., Maddison, K., and Clarke, A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
Journal Name:Nature Clinical Practice Oncology
ISSN:1743-4254

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