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An epigenetic mechanism for carcinogenesis

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Summary

Analysis of literature data and computer experiments with mathematical models lead to the conclusion that the molecular mechanisms of cytodifferentiation and of carcinogenesis are the same. Thus an epigenetic mechanism of neoplastic transformation is proposed which is initiated by affecting the metabolic circuits controlling the synthesis of nonhistone chromatin proteins (deblocking proteins). The process is stochastic and mitosis dependent. This epigenetic mechanism explains the properties of neoplastic cells and the process of carcinogenesis.

Zusammenfassung

Eine Analyse der in der Literatur angegebenen Daten sowie die Anwendung von mathematischen Modellen in Computerversuchen führen zu dem Schluß, daß die molekularen Mechanismen der Zelldifferenzierung und der Carcinogenese identisch sind. Daher wird ein epigenetischer Mechanismus der neoplastischen Transformation vorgeschlagen, der durch Einwirkung auf die Stoffwechselschaltungen eingeleitet wird, die die Synthese von Nicht-Histon-Chromatin-Proteinen (deblocking proteins) kontrollieren. Der Prozeß ist stochastisch und mitoseabhängig. Dieser epigenetische Mechanismus erklärt die Eigenschaften neoplastischer Zellen und den Prozeß der Carcinogenese.

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Tsanev, R., Sendov, B. An epigenetic mechanism for carcinogenesis. Z. Krebsforsch. 76, 299–319 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00304033

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