Opto-epigenetic modulation of DNA methylation with a photo-responsive small-molecule approach
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Authors
Mao, Shiqing
Nguyen, Ha
Stewart, Sabrina
Kukwikila, Mikiembo
Jones, Sioned
Offenbartl-Stiegert, Daniel
Beck, Stephan
Howorka, Stefan
Journal Title
Angewandte Chemie - International Edition
ISSN
1521-3773
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Type
Article
This Version
AM
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Mao, S., Nguyen, H., Stewart, S., Kukwikila, M., Jones, S., Offenbartl-Stiegert, D., Beck, S., et al. (2019). Opto-epigenetic modulation of DNA methylation with a photo-responsive small-molecule approach. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201901139
Abstract
Controlling the functional dynamics of DNA within living cells is essential in biomedical research. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation play a key role in this process. Controlled DNA methylation editing can be attained via genetic means. Yet there are few chemical tools available for the spatial and temporal modulation of this modification. Here we present a small-molecule approach to modulate DNA methylation with light. The strategy uses a photo-tuneable version of a clinically used drug (5-aza-2-deoxycytidine) to alter the catalytic activity of DNA methyltransferases, the enzymes that methylate DNA. After uptake by cells, the photo-regulated molecule can be light-controlled to reduce genome-wide DNA methylation levels in proliferating cells. The chemical tool complements genetic, biochemical and pharmacological approaches to study the role of DNA methylation in biology and medicine.
Sponsorship
BBSRC; EPSRC; Leverhulme Trust; RS Wolfson Research Merit Award; MRC
Funder references
Wellcome Trust (099232/Z/12/Z)
Cancer Research UK (CB4330)
Wellcome Trust (209441/Z/17/Z)
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201901139
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/289737
Rights
Licence:
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