Epigenetic editing as a novel approach to modulate expression of key genes in cancer

This thesis is about developing a targeted approach to write or erase epigenetic modifications onto a gene of interest (Epigenetic Editing) to modulate its expression. An Epigenetic Editing tool consists of a DNA binding domain (DBD) linked to a catalytic domain of epigenetic enzymes.
Using the Epigenetic Editing, inactive epigenetic modifications were written on overexpressed genes in cancer, which were associated with their downregulation and cell growth inhibition.
A tumor suppressor gene was upregulated using an artificial transcription factor (composed of a DBD fused to a transcription activator domain) in cancer cells and apoptosis was induced in the treated cells.
Since aberrant epigenetic modifications are associated with cancer, the role of epigenetics in breast cancer and the potential epigenetic-therapies are intensively investigated; this is also reviewed in this thesis.