Effects of Ionizing Radiation on DNA Methylation Patterns and Their Potential as Biomarkers
Year: 2025
Type: review
Abstract: DNA methylation is a common endogenous chemical modification in eukaryotic DNA, primarily involving the covalent attachment of a methyl group to the fifth carbon of cytosine residues, leading to the formation of 5-methylcytosine (5mC). This epigenetic modification plays a crucial role in gene expression regulation and genomic stability maintenance in eukaryotic systems. Ionizing radiation (IR) has been shown to induce changes in global DNA methylation patterns, which exhibit significant temporal stability. This stability makes DNA methylation profiles promising candidates for radiation-specific biomarkers. This review systematically examines the impact of IR on genome-wide DNA methylation landscapes and evaluates their potential as molecular indicators of radiation exposure. Advancing the knowledge of radiation-induced epigenetic modifications in radiobiology contributes to a deeper understanding of IR-driven epigenetic reprogramming and facilitates the development of novel molecular tools for the early detection and quantitative risk assessment of radiation exposure.
DOI: 10.3390/ijms26073342
Institutions: Hebei University, University of South China
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
Awards: G3061245628, G5062836221, G6745785132
OpenAlex ID: W4409145488