Histone deacetylase inhibitors reverse CpG methylation by regulating DNMT1 through ERK signaling.

Methylation of CpG repeats in the upstream/promoter regions of genes is an established mechanism of gene silencing in many cell types. DNA methylation results in the recruitment of histone deacetylases (HDACs) to promoter regions, thereby repressing expression of genes. General inhibitors of class I and II HDACs (HDACi), such as sodium butyrate and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.