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Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography | ISSN: 2157-7625 | Volume: 8
June 28-29, 2018 | Alexandria, Egypt
International Pre Conference Workshop on
Microbial Ecology & Eco Systems
epigenetic influence through protection and repair—as well as the miraculous ability to identify unrepairable cellular damage and to induce
cell death through apoptosis.
Epigenetics and Cancer:
Epigenetic modifications play a critical role in many cellular processes, including DNA methylation, histone
modification (acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation), and microRNA expression. Massive deregulation of all components of the
epigenetic machinery is a hallmark of cancer.These alterations affect normal gene regulation and impede normal cellular processes including
cell cycle, DNA repair, cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis.2 Because epigenetic alterations appear early in cancer development and
represent potentially initiating events during carcinogenesis, they are promising targets for anticancer interventions by chemopreventive
and chemotherapeutic strategies using epigenetically active agents. Like gene mutations, epigenetic lesions that disrupt gene expression
probably occur in both driver and passenger forms—many lesions won’t contribute to tumor formation while a critical few will promote
carcinogenesis. Epigenetic lesions can result from gene mutations, but environmental exposures can also cause epigenetic aberrations.3
The Quality Control Theory of Aging and The ETMS:
The quality control (QC) theory of aging is based on the concept that aging is the
result of a reduction in QC of cellular systems designed to maintain lifelong homeostasis. Four QC systems associated with aging are 1)
inadequate protein processing in a distressed endoplasmic reticulum (ER); 2) histone deacetylase (HDAC) processing of genomic histones
and gene silencing; 3) suppressed AMPK nutrient sensing with inefficient energy utilization and excessive fat accumulation; and 4) beta-
adrenergic receptor (BAR) signaling and environmental and emotional stress. Reprogramming these systems to maintain efficiency and
prevent aging would be a rational strategy for increased lifespan and improved health.4 The “Quality Control Theory of Disease & Aging”
represents the need for a comprehensive botanical and nutritional plan, such as I recommend in the Eclectic Triphasic Medical System
(ETMS).
Botanicals and Epigenetic Modification:
Epigenetic modifications include DNA methylation, histone modification, and other patterns.
These processes are associated with carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Thus, epigenetic modification-related enzymes, such as DNA
methyltransferases (DNMTs), histone methyltransferases (HMTs), histone demethylases (HDMTs), histone acetyltransferases (HATs), and
histone deacetylases (HDACs), as well as some related proteins, including methyl-CpG binding proteins (MBPs) and DNMT1-associated
protein (DMAP 1), are considered potential targets for cancer prevention and therapy. Many natural compounds derived from medicinal
herbs (ranging from polyphenols and flavonoids to mineral salts), inhibit the growth and development of various cancers by targeting
multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations.
Plant-derived epigenetic modulators are like jazz musicians, who improvise according to harmonic structure, melody, rhythm, tempo, and
the “feel” of a song, all the while listening to everything going on within and around which is in constant flux. The bandleader of botanical
epigenetic modulators is the “Life Force,” and their mission is to normalize and aid in innate auto-regulation. Plant-derived epigenetic
modulators have numerous intracellular targets, including the cellular processes of proliferation, differentiation, cell death, inflammation,
angiogenesis and invasion; the targets also include the mechanisms of inflammation and carcinogenesis. These pleiotropic effects may
be the reason why botanical epigenetic modulators are efficient at killing tumor cells presenting multiple alterations of their regulatory
mechanisms, but have limited toxicity on normal cells.5
Studies show that plant-derived phenolic compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities improve mitochondrial biogenesis
and modulate the AMPK/ mTOR pathway (a central regulator of cell metabolism, growth, proliferation and survival) and traditional
culinary herbs and species rich in phytonutrients aid in epigenetic modification and expression.6
Biography
Tito N. Habib is the head of molecular genetics' Lab., Zoology department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, since 2015 till 2018, and a professor of genetics and molecular
Biology. He got his PhD from Texas A& M University, in 1999 as visiting scholar in the department of wildlife and fisheries, Bryan-College Station, Texas, USA, in the field of Mo-
lecular Genetics. He followed his promotion as assistant professor of molecular Genetics, Zoology department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Egypt, (2007-2011), and
Head of Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Balgurashi, Albaha University, KSA (2011-2015). He served as HEEPF project council member (B-035-P1) for the development
of Genetics' courses, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Egypt. He was a main advisor for 2 PhD, and 2 Master Thesis in Medical Genetics topics, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag
University. He became a head of Sohag- Syndicate of Scientific professions in Sohag-Branch from December, 2017 till February, 2020. He works as a reviewer for journal of Clin-
ical Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Chronicle Journal of Cancer Science. He got an invitation from 7th International Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology
(ICBEB 2018) which will be hold in October 17th - 20th, 2018, Nanjing, China.
titohabib99@yahoo.com