What are the Genetic and Epigenetic Changes in Tumorigenesis?
Genetic changes include mutations, deletions, amplifications, and rearrangements of DNA sequences. Epigenetic changes involve modifications to DNA and histones that affect gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. These changes can activate oncogenes or inactivate tumor suppressor genes, contributing to tumorigenesis:
- DNA Methylation: Addition of methyl groups to DNA can silence tumor suppressor genes.
- Histone Modification: Changes to histone proteins can alter chromatin structure and affect gene expression.
