Affiliation:
1. William Harvey Research Institute Barts & The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London London UK
2. Department of Molecular and Cell Biology University of Leicester Leicester UK
Abstract
AbstractDNA methylation controls DNA accessibility to transcription factors and other regulatory proteins, thereby affecting gene expression and hence cellular identity and function. As epigenetic modifications control the transcriptome, epigenetic dysfunction is strongly associated with pathological conditions and ageing. The development of pharmacological agents that modulate the activity of major epigenetic proteins are in pre‐clinical development and clinical use. However, recent publications have identified novel redox‐based signalling pathways, and therefore novel drug targets, that may exert epigenetic effects. This review will discuss the recent developments in nitric oxide (NO) signalling on DNA methylation as well as potential epigenetic drug targets that have emerged from the intersection of inflammation/redox biology and epigenetic regulation.