EZH2-mediated epigenetic repression of DNA repair in promoting breast tumor initiating cells

Breast Cancer Res. 2011 May 25;13(3):309. doi: 10.1186/bcr2871.

Abstract

Members of the Polycomb-group (PcG) family of proteins, including EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2), are involved in establishing epigenetic silencing of developmental genes in adult and embryonic stem cells, and their deregulation has been implicated in cancer. In a recent report, EZH2-mediated epigenetic repression of DNA damage repair in breast tumor initiating cells (BTICs) was identified as a mechanism that could promote expansion of BTICs, and may contribute to cancer progression.

MeSH terms

  • Adult Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • DNA Repair*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Disease Progression
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Gene Silencing
  • Genes, Regulator
  • Humans
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2
  • Rad51 Recombinase / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • EZH2 protein, human
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2
  • Rad51 Recombinase