Is Aberrant Nucleic Acid Methylation Related to Malignant Transformation?

Summary

The aberrant methylation hypothesis of malignancy proposed by Srinivasan and Borek was discussed, with emphasis on the complexities of the nucleic acid methylating enzymes and the problems associated with obtaining adequate experimental controls for malignant transformation. Evidence in support of the hypothesis was circumstantial but impressive; the potential importance of the problem justifies an intensive effort to establish whether aberrant nucleic acid methylation is necessary for malignant transformation.