TWIST基因甲基化在肿瘤发生发展中的研究进展

摘要

TWIST gene belongs to the basic-helix-loop-helix family(bHLH)of transcription factors,which is highly conserved and involved in embryonic development.TWIST can regulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT),inhibit apoptosis,induce angiogenesis and chromosomal instability,but there is little known about the mechanism of regulating tumors.From recent years,there has been lots of reports that epigenetic is an important mechanism in the development of tumor,in which TWIST promoter hypermethylation has a relation with tumors development and clinipathologocal features,and so on.%TWIST基因属于碱性螺旋-环-螺旋(bosic Helix-Loop-Helix farily,bHLH)转录因子家族成员之一,在多种种属的基因组中高度保守并调控胚胎发育.该基因的功能包括参与上皮-间质转变(epithelial-mesenchymaltransition,EMT)、抗细胞凋亡、促进肿瘤血管生成和导致染色体不稳定等,但是其在肿瘤发生发展中的调节机制仍不清楚.近年来,大量文献报道证实了表观遗传学为肿瘤发病重要机制之一,其中TWIST基因启动子的高甲基化与肿瘤的发生、进展以及临床病理特征都有关系,本文就此作一综述.