Gene activity change can produce cancer

Mouse study shows that epigenetic alterations can cause tumors

MARKS OF CHANGE  Shutting down a gene that normally fends off tumors is enough to cause cancer, a new study of mice shows. The large white mouse carries this epigenetic change in some of its cells (brown marks) while the brown mouse carries it in all of its cells.

L. Shen

Changing a gene’s activity can cause cancer, even though the DNA itself hasn’t mutated, a new study demonstrates.