[Investigation of the liver DNA methylation profile of rats under the influence of hepatotoxicants of different nature].

The functional importance of DNA methylation, which is a special case of epigenetic variation, is meant for regulation of many biological processes, ranged from tissue specific gene expression to remodeling of chromatin structure. Disorders of the DNA methylation can cause changes in the cell's phenotype, providing a significant impact on the development of pathology. Both exogenous and endogenous factors are able to cause disruption of DNA methylation, while epigenetic changes usually precede the emergence of clinical and morphological symptoms of pathological process development, consequently the parameters of DNA methylation can be used as sensitive biomarkers to detect adverse effects on the organism.