How Does Epigenetic Regulation Contribute to Cancer?
Epigenetic regulation involves changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. In cancer, epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation and histone modifications can lead to the silencing of tumor suppressor genes or the activation of oncogenes. For instance, hypermethylation of the promoter region of the p16INK4a gene can lead to its silencing, contributing to uncontrolled cell division.
