Binding reactions: epigenetic switches, signal transduction and cancer

Mark Ptashne

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2009.02.015

Binding reactions: epigenetic switches, signal transduction and cancer

Curr Biol. 2009 Mar 24;19(6):R234-41. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2009.02.015.

Author

Mark Ptashne¹

Affiliation

¹ Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 595, New York, NY 10021, USA. m-ptashne@mskcc.org

PMID: 19321137
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2009.02.015

Abstract

Simple binding interactions lie at the heart of disparate biological functions. Multiple negative and positive 'add-ons', often with small individual effects, make elementary systems that work, work better. Cancer illustrates various of these fundamental processes gone awry.

MeSH terms

DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / metabolism
Epigenesis, Genetic
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
Humans
Molecular Biology / methods
Mutation
Neoplasms / enzymology
Neoplasms / genetics
Neoplasms / physiopathology*
Protein Kinases / genetics
Protein Kinases / metabolism
Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

DNA, Neoplasm
Protein Kinases
DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases