Helicobacter pylori Induces Hypermethylation of CpG Islands Through Upregulation of DNA Methyltransferase: Possible Involvement of Reactive Oxygen/Nitrogen Species

Helicobacter pylori infection has been considered to be one of the major factors implicated in etiology of gastric cancer. Aberrant DNA methylation accounts for epigenetic modifications induced by H. pylori. H. pylori-induced hypermethylation has been linked to enhancement of the rates of metastasis and recurrence in gastric cancer patients. H. pylori-induced gene hypermethylation has been known to be associated with inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying H. pylori-induced hypermethylation remain largely unknown. This review highlights possible involvement of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species in H. pylori-induced hypermethylation and gastric carcinogenesis.