5-Hydroxymethylcytosine: An epigenetic mark frequently deregulated in cancer

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2015 Apr;1855(2):144-54. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2015.01.001. Epub 2015 Jan 8.

Abstract

The epigenetic mark 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) has gained interest since 2009, when it was discovered that Ten-Eleven-Translocation (TET) proteins catalyze the conversion of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) into 5hmC. This conversion appears to be an intermediate step in the active DNA demethylation pathway. Factors that regulate DNA hydroxymethylation are frequently affected in cancer, leading to deregulated 5hmC levels. In this review, we will discuss the regulation of DNA hydroxymethylation, defects in this pathway in cancer, and novel therapies that may correct deregulated (hydroxy)methylation of DNA.

Keywords: 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine; Cancer; DNA methylation; IDH; TET.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 5-Methylcytosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis*
  • Cytosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cytosine / biosynthesis
  • DNA Methylation / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Dioxygenases
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics
  • Humans
  • Isocitrate Dehydrogenase / genetics
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • 5-hydroxymethylcytosine
  • 5-Methylcytosine
  • Cytosine
  • Isocitrate Dehydrogenase
  • IDH1 protein, human
  • Dioxygenases
  • TET2 protein, human