Epigenetics of prostate cancer and the prospect of identification of novel drug targets by RNAi screening of epigenetic enzymes

Epigenomics. 2010 Oct;2(5):683-9. doi: 10.2217/epi.10.48.

Abstract

Alterations in epigenetic processes probably underlie most human malignancies. Novel genome-wide techniques, such as chromatin immunoprecipitation and high-throughput sequencing, have become state-of-the-art methods to map the epigenomic landscape of development and disease, such as in cancers. Despite these advances, the functional significance of epigenetic enzymes in cancer progression, such as prostate cancer, remain incompletely understood. A comprehensive mapping and functional understanding of the cancer epigenome will hopefully help to facilitate development of novel cancer therapy targets and improve future diagnostics. The authors have developed a novel cell microarray-based high-content siRNA screening technique suitable to address the putative functional role and impact of all known putative and novel epigenetic enzymes in cancer, including prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation / methods
  • CpG Islands / genetics
  • DNA Methylation / genetics*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Enzymes / genetics
  • Enzymes / physiology*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / physiology*
  • Gene Library
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / methods*
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microarray Analysis / methods*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods

Substances

  • Enzymes
  • Histones
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Androgen