DNA methylation topology: potential of a chromatin landmark for epigenetic drug toxicology

Epigenomics. 2011 Dec;3(6):761-70. doi: 10.2217/epi.11.101.

Abstract

Targeting chromatin and its basic components through epigenetic drug therapy has become an increased focus in the treatment of complex diseases. This boost calls for the implementation of high-throughput cell-based assays that exploit the increasing knowledge about epigenetic mechanisms and their interventions for genotoxicity testing of epigenetic drugs. 3D quantitative DNA methylation imaging is a novel approach for detecting drug-induced DNA demethylation and concurrent heterochromatin decondensation/reorganization in cells through the analysis of differential nuclear distribution patterns of methylcytosine and gDNA visualized by fluorescence and processed by machine-learning algorithms. Utilizing 3D DNA methylation patterns is a powerful precursor to a series of fully automatable assays that employ chromatin structure and higher organization as novel pharmacodynamic biomarkers for various epigenetic drug actions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Chromatin / drug effects
  • Chromatin / metabolism*
  • Cytosine / metabolism
  • DNA Methylation / drug effects
  • DNA Methylation / physiology*
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods
  • Drug Discovery / methods*
  • Drug Therapy / methods*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mutagenicity Tests / methods*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Chromatin
  • Cytosine