Abstract
Epigenetic alterations have been associated with several human diseases including Alzheimers disease (AD). AD is a complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive functions, neuronal cell loss and by the presence of β amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the cortex. Mutations in specific genes have been identified but can only explain a small percentage of the AD cases. The origins of the sporadic cases of AD are still not known but there is evidence for a role of epigenetics in the etiology of the disease. In this review we focus on discussing the roles of DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in the development and potential treatment of AD. We discuss papers showing that there are alterations in methylated cytosine (5mC) levels in AD and also highlight the potential role of hydroxylated methylcytosine (5hmC) in the epigenetic regulation of brain gene expression and perhaps in AD. We discuss the potential influence of environmental factors, working through epigenetic mechanisms, on increasing the risk of developing AD and their potential in treating this major neurodegenerative disorder.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, DNA methylation, epigenetics, 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, environment, pronucleus, aging, neurons, oxidative stress
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Epigenetics in Alzheimers Disease: a Focus on DNA Modifications
Volume: 17 Issue: 31
Author(s): Natacha Coppieters and Mike Dragunow
Affiliation:
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, DNA methylation, epigenetics, 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, environment, pronucleus, aging, neurons, oxidative stress
Abstract: Epigenetic alterations have been associated with several human diseases including Alzheimers disease (AD). AD is a complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive functions, neuronal cell loss and by the presence of β amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the cortex. Mutations in specific genes have been identified but can only explain a small percentage of the AD cases. The origins of the sporadic cases of AD are still not known but there is evidence for a role of epigenetics in the etiology of the disease. In this review we focus on discussing the roles of DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in the development and potential treatment of AD. We discuss papers showing that there are alterations in methylated cytosine (5mC) levels in AD and also highlight the potential role of hydroxylated methylcytosine (5hmC) in the epigenetic regulation of brain gene expression and perhaps in AD. We discuss the potential influence of environmental factors, working through epigenetic mechanisms, on increasing the risk of developing AD and their potential in treating this major neurodegenerative disorder.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Coppieters Natacha and Dragunow Mike, Epigenetics in Alzheimers Disease: a Focus on DNA Modifications, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2011; 17 (31) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161211798072544
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161211798072544 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Association Constants of Pyridine and Piperidine Alkaloids to Amyloid ß Peptide Determined by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Current Alzheimer Research Novel Insights for Multiple Sclerosis and Demyelinating Disorders with Apoptosis, Autophagy, FoxO, and mTOR
Current Neurovascular Research LPS-induced Murine Neuroinflammation Model: Main Features and Suitability for Pre-clinical Assessment of Nutraceuticals
Current Neuropharmacology The Impact of Docosahexaenoic Acid on Alzheimer’s Disease: Is There a Role of the Blood-Brain Barrier?
Current Clinical Pharmacology Coenzyme Q10 in Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Current Drug Targets Mucopolysaccharidosis Type III (Sanfilippo Syndrome): Emerging Treatment Strategies
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Role of Long Non-coding RNAs in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases
Current Aging Science Psychotropic Medications and the Treatment of Human Prion Diseases
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Early Features in Frontotemporal Dementia
Current Alzheimer Research Preface [Hot Topic: Advances in the Four Pillars of Alzheimer Disease Research: Pathobiology, Genetics, Diagnosis, and Treatment (Debomoy K. Lahiri)]
Current Alzheimer Research Integration of <sup>18</sup>FDG-PET Metabolic and Functional Connectomes in the Early Diagnosis and Prognosis of the Alzheimer's Disease
Current Alzheimer Research G Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling Complexity in Neuronal Tissue:Implications for Novel Therapeutics
Current Alzheimer Research Editorial [Hot Topic: SOD Enzymes and Their Mimics in Cancer: Pro- vs Anti-Oxidative Mode of Action-Part I (Guest Editor: Ines Batinic-Haberle)]
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Current Understanding of Central Nervous System Drainage Systems: Implications in the Context of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Neuropharmacology The Possible Involvement of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3) in Diabetes, Cancer and Central Nervous System Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry α-Synuclein and the Pathogenesis of Parkinsons Disease
Protein & Peptide Letters HtrA Protease Family as Therapeutic Targets
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mesenchymal Stem Cells: New Approaches for the Treatment of Neurological Diseases
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Models of Parkinson’s Disease with Special Emphasis on Drosophila melanogaster
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets