Epigenetic regulation of microRNAs in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers and accounts for a large proportion of cancer-related deaths in the world, while the pathogenesis of it is still not clear. Epigenetic changes have been found to participate in the development and progression of gastric cancer. Epigenetic changes involve methylation of cytosines in DNA, modifications of histone, chromatin remodeling, and alterations in the expression of microRNAs. MicroRNAs, a family of small non-coding RNAs, have been demonstrated to participate in many fundamental biological processes including the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer. Previous studies have shown that the downregulation of microRNAs are often caused by the methylation in the CpG islands of microRNA promoters. Here, we have summarized the functions and molecular mechanisms of gastric cancer related methylated microRNAs in gastric carcinogenesis. We further envisage the clinical application of microRNA methylation in the early diagnosis, treatment and prognosis assessment of gastric cancer.