DMMC Course: UNRAVELLING CHROMATIN & THE ROLE OF EPIGENETICS IN DISEASE

0950-1010 Wednesday 26 April 2006. UCD Conway Institute Lecture Theatre

Epigenetics & cancer
Dr Amanda McCann (UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research)

To date, it is estimated that over 200 imprinted / parent of origin genes are present in the human genome. Understanding their regulation, and how they may contribute to human disease is the focus of much experimental research in many disorders, particularly in cancer. This is primarily due to the fact that, in contrast to most autosomal genes which are active from both the maternal and paternal inherited copies, imprinted genes are selectively expressed only from one parental copy in a tissue specific manner. Alterations in this single dosage are key in cancer development. This lecture will focus specifically on the evidence that altered imprinted gene dosage, either through loss of imprinting (LOI), or gain of imprinting (GOI), plays a key role in cancer development. Imprinted genes that will be specifically discussed involve those located within the 11p15.5 imprinting domain in humans.