Biomarkers and Therapeutic Markers Based on Novel Epigenetic Regulation in Diseases
1Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
2Nankai University, Tianjin, China
3University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA
4Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
Biomarkers and Therapeutic Markers Based on Novel Epigenetic Regulation in Diseases
Description
Epigenetic regulation is a precise mechanism referring to histones and nucleic acids that widely modulate gene expression. The process of epigenetics is reversible and dynamically regulated, attached and removed by specific enzymes known as epigenetic ‘writers’ and ‘erasers’, subsequently recognized by ‘readers’, and cooperatively regulated by complicated remodelers. In addition to covalent modifications occurred to histones and nucleic acids, epigenetic regulation encompasses dynamic spatio-temporal positioning of nucleosomes, regulation of the three-dimensional conformation of chromatin and nuclear topology, the localization and activity of RNA binding proteins and RNA splicing machinery, as well as transcribed elements of the non-protein-coding genome such as long non-coding RNAs and enhancer RNAs.
Consequently, these epigenetic regulators cooperatively and dynamically control and fine-tune gene expression. The key factors involved in epigenetic regulation networks are crucial biomarkers and therapeutic targets in multiple diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The development of sequencing and multi-omics technology provides the possibility to identify novel type epigenetic regulations, such as histone succinylation, histone crotonylation, histone butyrylation, histone lactoylation, and RNA m6A modification, which cooperatively and widely regulate key targets in the pathological process. For example, histone H3 lysine succinylation (H3Ksucc) is a newly identified histone modification and Ksucc of histones appears to accumulate at transcriptional start sites and induce gene expression. With the in-depth study of novel epigenetic regulation, it has been identified the key enzymes possess a variety of modification functions, such as P300, KAT2A, SIRTs, and HDACs. More and more findings provide new insights into the mechanism by which the reprogramming of epigenetic regulation in disease progression. The factors involved in novel epigenetic regulations are significant biomarkers and crucial therapeutic targets.
In this Special Issue, we encourage the studies regarding the latest research about the discovery and related molecular mechanisms in novel epigenetic regulations in different diseases. The investigation and exploration of the diagnostic and therapeutic significance of key factors in the network of novel epigenetic regulations are welcome. The identification of the molecular mechanisms of the regulatory mechanisms during novel epigenetic regulations in disease development is significant. We welcome original research and review articles.
Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:
- Novel epigenetic biomarkers and targets related to writers, erasers, and readers
- Key targets regulated by novel epigenetic regulations
- Novel epigenetic targets for precision medicine
- Novel epigenetic targets for clinical treatment
- Novel epigenetic targets for clinical diagnostics and prognostics
- Key factors-modulated RNA m6A modification as epigenetic biomarkers and therapeutic targets
- Significant targets of RNA m6A modification in disease progression
- Circular RNAs as epigenetic biomarkers and therapeutic targets
- The molecular mechanisms of novel epigenetic regulations in disease development
- The combined combination of drugs and new applications for old medicines for the treatment of epigenetic targets