肝细胞癌p16基因甲基化及其对mRNA表达的影响

目的:探讨肝细胞癌p16基因甲基化状态和对mRNA表达的影响。方法:采用甲基化特异性聚合酶链反应(MSP)法和逆转录聚合酶链反应技术(RT-PCR)分别检测了25例肝细胞癌及其相应的癌旁组织p16基因甲基化和mRNA表达状况。结果:25例肝细胞癌组织中检出13例甲基化,甲基化率为52.0%,相应的癌旁组织有6例甲基化,甲基化率为24.0%;25例肝细胞癌组织中,mRNA表达10例(表达率40.0%),相应的癌旁组织其mRNA表达19例(表达率76.0%),肝细胞癌组织和癌旁组织的甲基化率及mRNA表达,两者之间差异有显著性。结论:p16基因甲基化是肝细胞癌频发事件,p16基因甲基化导致mRNA表达缺失,p16基因甲基化检测可作为肝细胞癌分子诊断标志。

p16 gene methylation status of and its effect on mRNA expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose:To investigate the status of p16 gene and its influence in p16 mRNA expression in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods:The methylation status of p16 gene and expression of p16 mRNA were examined by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and RT-PCR in twenty-five primary HCC and corresponding paracancerous tissue specimens.Results:Methylation was detected in 12 of 25 (52.0%) tumor tissue specinmens, while 6 of 25 (24.0%) in corresponding paracancerous tissue specimens. Loss of p16 mRNA expression was found in 19 specimens with methylated p16 gene,while expression of p16 mRNA was detected in 27 of 31 specimens with unmethylated p16 gene. There was significant difference in mRNA expression between specimens with methylated p16 and unmethylated p16.Conclusions:p16 gene methylation is a frequent event in HCC. The methylation of p16 gene might lead to loss of p16 mRNA expression. Detection of p16 gene methylation may be a useful marker in the molecular diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinomas.