Modern approaches for the screening of epigenetically active xenobiotics

Objective. Review of the modern methodological approaches for testing and studying the epigenetic activity of xenobiotics.

Materials and methods. In preparing the review, we used information databases of biomedical literature SciVerse Scopus (538), PubMed (746), Web of Science (625), RSCI (45). To obtain full-text documents, electronic resources of PubMed Central (PMC), Research Gate, RSCI, CyberLeninka were used. In the text of the review, 87 modern publications (2010–2019) were cited, as well as 17 earlier articles published by the founders of the methods, which are used today.

Results. In the review, current data on epigenetic regulation for gene expression at the level of DNA methylation and histone modification are discussed, in vitro model systems and model organisms are described, and modern methods for screening of epigenetically active xenobiotics are presented.

Conclusion. Modern data concerning the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of gene expression, the usage of existing model systems and model organisms, as well as the application of various methodological approaches and techniques, allow extensive screening of xenobiotics (including drugs and compounds synthesized for national economic tasks) for epigenetic activity. The identification of epigenetically active compounds is important in terms of improving the prevention and treatment of a number of diseases and, in particular, malignant neoplasms.

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