Sanguinarine interacts with chromatin, modulates epigenetic modifications, and transcription in the context of chromatin.

DNA-binding anticancer agents cause alteration in chromatin structure and dynamics. We report the dynamic interaction of the DNA intercalator and potential anticancer plant alkaloid, sanguinarine (SGR), with chromatin. Association of SGR with different levels of chromatin structure was enthalpy driven with micromolar dissociation constant.

Small molecule modulators in epigenetics: implications in gene expression and therapeutics.

Altered gene expression resulting from changes in the post-translational modification patterns of the histones and DNA is collectively termed epigenetics. Such changes are inherited albeit there are no alterations in the DNA sequence. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is implemented by a wide repertoire of histone and DNA modifying enzymes including the acetyltransferases and deacetylases, the methyltransferases and kinases among others.