A Revolution in Dentistry: Epigenetics

Abstract

Epigenetics is the study of potentially heritable changes in gene expression that does not involve changes in underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in cellular proliferation, migration, and differentiation in both normal and neoplastic development. Epigenetic changes may be inherited and can occur during embryonal development or after birth. Once the change in DNA methylation takes place, following cell division the altered pattern is transferred into daughter cells by the action DNA methyltransferase enzyme, which recognizes hemi-methylated sites and methylates newly synthesized DNA formed during replication. Recently, it has been suggested that aberrant DNA methylation of cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) islands is a common event in odontogenic tumors. Expression of DNA methyltransferase 1,3A,3B has been noted in various odontogenic tumors. Thus, this review aims to study the various epigenetic pathways that are altered in odontogenic tumors.