Interplay between environmental exposure and mitochondrial DNA methylation in disease susceptibility and cancer: a comprehensive review

Nuclear epigenetics has been a major area of research through decades, involved in the pathogenesis of several human diseases. Current studies brought to light the role of mitochondrial epigenetics in disease initiation and progression. Mitochondrial DNA methylation mark, considered as one of the major epigenetic modifications, has been lately studied in various health outcomes. Herein, this review aims to explore the effects of several environmental factors (including air particulate matter, chemical compounds and heavy metal exposures) and to find their role in influencing diseases through epigenetic alteration, especially focusing on mitochondrial DNA methylation. However, little is known about mitochondrial gene regulation with disease association, which opens up a novel area of research. In addition to this, potential epi-therapeutic approaches have also been discussed. Further, in-depth mito-epigenetic studies will be helpful for clinical research.