How Do Epigenetic Changes Affect Regulatory Elements?
Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and histone modifications can alter the activity of regulatory elements. In cancer, these changes can lead to the activation of oncogenes or the silencing of tumor suppressor genes. For example, the hypermethylation of CpG islands in promoter regions can silence genes critical for cell cycle regulation and apoptosis, contributing to tumorigenesis.
