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Sci. Signal., 1 April 2008
Vol. 1, Issue 13, p. pe14
[DOI: 10.1126/stke.113pe14]

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Silent Assassin: Oncogenic Ras Directs Epigenetic Inactivation of Target Genes

Xiaodong Cheng*

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555–1031, USA.

Abstract: Oncogenic transformation is associated with genetic changes and epigenetic alterations. A study now shows that oncogenic Ras uses a complex and elaborate epigenetic silencing program to specifically repress the expression of multiple unrelated cancer-suppressing genes through a common pathway. These results suggest that cancer-related epigenetic modifications may arise through a specific and instructive mechanism and that genetic changes and epigenetic alterations are intimately connected and contribute to tumorigenesis cooperatively.

*Corresponding author. E-mail, xcheng{at}utmb.edu

Citation: X. Cheng, Silent Assassin: Oncogenic Ras Directs Epigenetic Inactivation of Target Genes. Sci. Signal. 1, pe14 (2008).

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Science Signaling. ISSN 1937-9145 (online), 1945-0877 (print). Pre-2008: Science's STKE. ISSN 1525-8882