Polycomb silencers control cell fate, development and cancer.

Sparmann, Anke; van Lohuizen, Maarten · Nat Rev Cancer · 2006

review · Level V

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Abstract

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are epigenetic gene silencers that are implicated in neoplastic development. Their oncogenic function might be associated with their well-established role in the maintenance of embryonic and adult stem cells. In this review, we discuss new insights into the possible mechanisms by which PcGs regulate cellular identity, and speculate how these functions might be relevant during tumorigenesis.

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