DNA hypermethylation is pervasive in tumors, but the factors triggering this modification are largely unknown. We recently demonstrated that the activity of 10-11-translocation methylcytosine dioxygenases, initiators of DNA demethylation, is compromised in hypoxic tumors. The resultant accumulation of methylation inactivates associated genes, linking the tumor microenvironment to epigenetic changes in cancer cells.
Keywords: 5-hydroxymethylcytosine; 5-methylcytosine; DNA hypermethylation; Hypoxia; TET1; TET2; TET3; oncogenesis.