319 Epigenetic enhancer regulation in epithelial development and carcinogenesis

Self-renewing somatic tissues rely on the proper regulation of epigenetic information through the precise control of gene enhancer and transcriptional networks in order to establish and maintain cell fate and identity. Disruption of these pathways critical for differentiation can lead to a loss of proliferative control, ultimately driving carcinogenesis. In line with this, the genes encoding the chromatin modifiers and master enhancer regulators MLL3 (KMT2C) and MLL4 (KMT2D) are amongst the most frequently mutated genes in all of human cancer, with a particularly high prevalence in self-renewing somatic epithelial tissues ranging from the lung and esophagus to the skin and bladder, with the highest frequencies being seen in squamous cell carcinomas, the most common cell type to undergo carcinogenesis.
Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Epidermal Structure and Barrier Function Source Type: research