What is Chemical Genomics?
Chemical genomics, on a large scale is the study of how small molecules interact with cells. This study can assist scientists in answering questions concerning combinatorial chemistry, protein biochemistry, miniaturization, automation, and global profiling technology (MacBeath 2001). This opens up doors to finding treatments for diseases or studying the progression of them.
DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors
DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors have become important in the field of epigenetic therapy, particularly in cancer treatment (Jin 2013). This may also be applicable to the study of SHANK3 methylation. DNMTs have been found to have a direct link to methylation of promoter regions of genes and SHANK3 methylation likely relies on them during early stages of development (Gnyszka 2013).
Azacytidine (most effective DNMT inhibitor to date)
Discussion
When considering the role that SHANK3 methylation plays in the SHANK3 gene expression and protein function, it may be useful to utilize a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor. Observing the outcome of applying DNMT inhibitors at various times during development may allow us to gain insight into when pathways relevant to intellectual ability develop.
References
Gnyszka, A., Jastrzebski, Z., 7 Flis, S. (2013, August). DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and their emerging role in epigenetic therapy of cancer. https://www.ncbi.nhm.nih.gov/pubmed/23898051
Jin, B., & Robertson, K. D. (2013). DNA Methyltransferases (DNMTs), DNA Damage Repair, and Cancer. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 754, 3–29. http://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9967-2_1
MacBeath, G. (2001). Chemical genomics: what will it take and who gets to play? Genome Biology, 2(6), comment2005.1–comment2005.6.
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https://www.worksoft.com/automation-success-global-chemicals-company
Gnyszka, A., Jastrzebski, Z., 7 Flis, S. (2013, August). DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and their emerging role in epigenetic therapy of cancer. https://www.ncbi.nhm.nih.gov/pubmed/23898051
Jin, B., & Robertson, K. D. (2013). DNA Methyltransferases (DNMTs), DNA Damage Repair, and Cancer. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 754, 3–29. http://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9967-2_1
MacBeath, G. (2001). Chemical genomics: what will it take and who gets to play? Genome Biology, 2(6), comment2005.1–comment2005.6.
Header Image
https://www.worksoft.com/automation-success-global-chemicals-company
This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate capstone course at UW-Madison.