Hydroxymethylation and tumors: can 5-hydroxymethylation be used as a marker for tumor diagnosis and treatment?

摘要: 5-Methylcytosine (5mC) is considered as a common epigenetic modification that plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression. At same time, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) has been found emerging cytosine bases recent years. Unlike 5mC, global 5hmC levels vary from tissues have differential distribution both mammalian and genome. DNA hydroxymethylation process 5mC oxidates into with catalysis TET (ten-eleven translocation) enzymes. It essential option demethylation, which modulates expression by adjusting methylation level. Various factors can regulate demethylation DNA, such environmental toxins mental stress. In this review, we summarize progress formation 5hmC, obtaining cell-free sample presents multiple advantages challenges for subject. Furthermore, clinical potential dealing cancer early diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, prediction therapeutic effect also mentioned.