Fig. 1

Epigenetic regulation of fibrotic gene expression profiles. The absence of DNA methylation permits gene transcription. DNA methylation, the addition of a methyl group to carbon 5 on the cytosine ring, is catalysed by the DNA methyltransferase enzymes. Methyl binding domain (MBD) proteins are recruited to methylated DNA and result in gene silencing by preventing transcription factor binding. Several genes associated with the development of fibrosis, highlighted in the figure, have been shown to undergo silencing as a result of DNA hypermethylation. It is likely that many other genes yet to be identified are also involved in the epigenetic regulation of fibrosis. These associations suggest the potential use of agents which target this methylating event for therapeutic use in fibrotic disease