DNMT3A in Leukemia
- Lorenzo Brunetti1,2,3,6,
- Michael C. Gundry1,2,4,6 and
- Margaret A. Goodell1,2,3,5
- 1Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- 2Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- 3CREO, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
- 4Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- 5Texas Children’s Hospital, and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Correspondence: goodell{at}bcm.edu
-
↵6 These authors contributed equally to this work.
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic process involved in development, aging, and cancer. Although the advent of new molecular techniques has enhanced our knowledge of how DNA methylation alters chromatin and subsequently affects gene expression, a direct link between epigenetic marks and tumorigenesis has not been established. DNMT3A is a de novo DNA methyltransferase that has recently gained relevance because of its frequent mutation in a large variety of immature and mature hematologic neoplasms. DNMT3A mutations are early events during cancer development and seem to confer poor prognosis to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients making this gene an attractive target for new therapies. Here, we discuss the biology of DNMT3A and its role in controlling hematopoietic stem cell fate decisions. In addition, we review how mutant DNMT3A may contribute to leukemogenesis and the clinical relevance of DNMT3A mutations in hematologic cancers.
