Hypermethylation of the caveolin-1 gene promoter in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: Hypermethylation of CpG islands in the promoter regions of tumor suppressor genes is one mechanism of tumorigenesis. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a gene coding for the structural component of cellular caveolae, is involved in cell signaling and has been proposed to be a tumor suppressor gene in several malignancies. This gene maps to 7q31.1, a site known to be deleted in some prostate tumors. We chose to examine the methylation status of the promoter region of Cav-1 to determine whether this gene could function as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer METHODS: Genomic DNA from both tumor and normal prostate epithelial cells was obtained from paraffin-embedded prostate sections by laser capture microdissection (LCM). The methylation status of 24 CpG sites at the 5' promoter region of Cav-1 was analyzed by bisulfite-direct-sequencing after amplification by PCR using primers specific for bisulfate modified DNA. Immunohistochemistry staining with a cav-1-specific antibody was also performed to evaluate the expression of the gene RESULTS: Twenty of the 22 (90.9%) informative cases showed promoter hypermethylation in the tumor cell population when compared with adjacent normal prostate cells with an average Methylation Index (potential frequency of total possible methylated Cs) from tumor cells equal to 0.426 vs. 0.186 for normal cells (P = 0.001). While no association with Gleason grade was found, overall increased methylation correlated with PSA failure (P = 0.016), suggestive of clinical recurrence. Elevated immunoreactivity with a Cav-1 antibody was observed in tumor cells from 7 of 26 prostate samples tested; this was associated with a Gleason score but not correlated with PSA failure or Methylation Index CONCLUSIONS: CpG sites at the 5' promoter of Cav-1 are more methylated in tumor than in adjacent normal prostate cells. Hypermethylation of the Cav-1 promoter supports the notion that Cav-1 may function as a tumor suppressor gene in prostate cancer and evidence is presented suggesting that methylation status of this gene is not only a marker for cancer but also may be predictive of outcome.     

TSA对人肝癌细胞株E-cadherin启动子区甲基化及表达的影响

目的 探讨去乙酰化转移酶抑制剂TSA对人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞株E-cadherin基因(E-cad)启动子区甲基化及其表达的影响.方法 TSA(300 nm/L)处理人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞,MTT法、TUNEL染色法分别检测细胞生长抑制及凋亡情况,甲基化特异性的PCR(methylation-specificPCR,MSP)检测处理前后E-cad启动子区CpG岛甲基化状态;Western blot检测处理前后E-cad及DNMT3b表达水平的变化.结果 TSA能抑制人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞生长并诱导其发生凋亡,与对照组相比,实验组细胞生长抑制率为21.85%,对照组细胞凋亡率为(4.69±0.56)%,实验组凋亡率为(14.94±0.91)%,与对照组相比,凋亡细胞明显增多(P=0.000).用药前E-cad启动子区CpG岛为甲基化状态,E-cad蛋白表达阴性.TSA处理后E-cad启动子区CpG岛发牛脱甲基化,E-cad蛋白恢复表达.TSA亦导致DNMT3b的表达水平降低. 结论去乙酰化转移酶抑制剂TSA能抑制人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞生长,并可诱导其发生凋亡,逆转E-cad基因启动子区的甲基化状态,并恢复该基因表达.TSA有可能通过DNMT3b发挥脱甲基化作用.     

dsRNA介导的PTEN基因表达上调及其与启动子区甲基化的关系

目的 观察以启动子区非CpG岛序列为靶点的dsRNA促进PTEN基因的表达,并探讨RNAa现象对PTEN基因启动子区DNA甲基化的影响.方法 将与PTEN基因启动子区非CpG岛DNA序列互补的双链RNA分子(dsPTEN) 转染入A549和H292肺癌细胞中,采用real-time聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测PTEN的表达,筛选能够促进PTEN基因表达的有效dsRNA序列.通过甲基化特异性PCR(MSP)产物测序,检测dsRNA转染前后启动子区甲基化程度的变化.结果 经多条dsRNA分别转染肺癌细胞,证实针对PTEN基因-57到-38的序列(dsPTEN2-2)转染H292肺癌细胞后出现PTEN基因表达的明显上调,上调最高达5.1倍(与对照dsRNA比较,P<0.05),证实了RNAa现象的存在;使用5-Aza处理后的A549和H292细胞与空白组比较CpG点甲基化明显减少(5±3比10±4、6±3比9±3,P均<0.05),而转染PTEN2-2 dsRNA后的两个细胞株CpG点甲基化情况与未转染组比较无明显变化(9±2比10±4、9±3比9±3,P均>0.05).结论 dsRNA可以促进PTEN基因表达的上调,RNAa现象并不改变PTEN基因启动子区甲基化程度.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) gene activation induced by double-standed RNA (dsRNA) in lung cancer cell line and its correlation with CpG island methylation in the promoter region. Methods Specific dsRNA complementary to the non-CpG island sequence in the promoter of PTEN gene was designed and transfected into H292 and A549 cell lines, and the expression of PTEN mRNA was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The methylation status of the CpG island in the promoter region was tested by DNA sequencing on the bisulfate modified DNA. Results By testing several dsRNA sequences targeting promoter region of PTEN, a dsRNA named PTEN2-2 (target on -57 to -38 of the PTEN) was identified, which could upregulate the PTEN expression by 5.1 times at most (P<0.05, controlled with the dsControl). Epigenetic analysis of PTEN promoter region confirmed DNA hypermethylation. PTEN2-2 dsRNA transfection turned on the expression of PTEN without affecting the methylation status of promoter DNA (9±2 vs 10±4, 9±3 vs 9±3, both P>0.05), as the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor did (5±3 vs 10±4, 6±3 vs 9±3, both P<0.05). Conclusion The expression of PTEN mRNA could be enhanced by inducing the dsRNA into the cells, but no evidence was found that dsRNA could affect the methylation status of the CpG island in the promoter region of this gene.     

乳腺癌WWOX基因表达缺陷的意义及其与CpG岛甲基化的关系

目的 研究WWOX蛋白在乳腺癌组织和细胞系中的表达变化,分析其与WWOX基因启动子和第一外显子CpG岛甲基化的关系.方法 应用免疫组织化学染色检测乳腺癌组织和细胞系中WWOX蛋白表达,采用甲基化特异性PCR(methylation-specific PCR,MSP)分析乳腺癌组织和细胞系中WWOX基因CpG岛甲基化状况.结果 32.2%的乳腺癌组织和5.4%正常乳腺组织中WWOX蛋白表达缺失,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).乳腺癌组织WWOX表达异常与绝经后状态(P＜0.01)关系密切.Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ期患者中WWOX蛋白表达缺失的比例分别为23.1%、28.6%和46.2%.55%的乳腺癌组织WWOX启动子CpG岛甲基化扩增,45%的乳腺癌组织WWOX第一外显子CpG岛甲基化扩增,癌旁组织中未出现CpG岛甲基化扩增.MDA-MB-231细胞WWOX基因CpG岛完全甲基化,而MCF-7细胞无甲基化产物扩增.结论 乳腺癌中广泛存在着WWOX基因CpG岛甲基化,是WWOX表达缺陷的重要机制,并且可能通过性激素受体信号途径在乳腺癌的发生、发展中发挥作用.     

p21WAF1/CIP1 gene is inactivated in metastatic prostatic cancer cell lines by promoter methylation

INTRODUCTION: p21WAF1/CIP1 may act as a tumour suppressor gene (TSG) and loss of the p21WAF1/CIP1 gene has been reported in several solid tumours. The aim of this study was to see whether p21WAF1/CIP1 was expressed in metastatic prostate cancer cell lines and to determine if there was methylation of the p21WAF1/CIP1 promoter. METHOD: PC3, LNCaP and DU145 metastatic prostate cancer cell lines, 1542NP normal prostate, and RD rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines were cultured in the demethylating agent 5-Aza-2 deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR). p21WAF1/CIP1 mRNA expression was analysed by RT-PCR. DNA from untreated cell lines was modified with sodium bisulphite and promoter sequencing was performed. RESULTS: p21WAF1/CIP1 was expressed at low or undetectable levels in metastatic prostate cancer cell lines but expression was reactivated by treatment with 5-Aza-CdR. Sequence analysis of the promoter region revealed several sites of methylation at the 5' end of a CpG island in the PC3, LNCaP and DU145 cell line DNA but not in the normal prostate control DNA. Most notably the Sis-inducible element (SEI)-1-a STAT1-binding site, was methylated. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we show that p21WAF1/CIP1 expression in metastatic prostate cancer cell lines is enhanced as a result of demethylation of the DNA. Furthermore, several cytosine residues in the promoter region are methylated, including critical binding sites. The inhibition of the STAT1-signalling pathway by methylation of the promoter may inactivate the p21WAF1/CIP1 TSG in prostate cancer.     

Methylation of the TPEF- and PAX6-promoters is increased in early bladder cancer and in normal mucosa adjacent to pTa tumours

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate CpG island methylation patterns of cancer‐associated genes for their applicability as molecular biomarkers for the detection of superficial bladder cancer and for the discrimination of invasive from noninvasive tumours.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analysed the methylation status of CpG islands in the promoter region of the cancer‐associated genes GSTP1, DAPK, MDR1, TPEF, PAX6, and TSLC1 in primary papillary bladder cancer specimens from 39 patients (pT1 10, pTis one, pTa 20, pT2 five). Tumour‐adjacent normal mucosa served as the control. The DNAs were bisulphite‐treated and submitted to methylation‐specific real‐time polymerase chain reactions.

RESULTS

Only TPEF and PAX6 had substantial CpG island methylation percentages. The TPEF‐ and PAX6‐promoters also had significantly higher methylation rates in tumour tissue compared with the normal tumour‐adjacent tissue. Interestingly, the methylation rates of the TPEF‐ and the PAX6‐promoter were higher in adjacent normal tissues from bladders with pTa then in those with pT1 tumours.

CONCLUSION

Our results shed a critical light on the hypothesis that CpG island hypermethylation of the GSTP1‐, DAPK‐, MDR1‐ and TSLC1‐promoter could represent molecular biomarkers for bladder cancer diagnosis and detection. However, methylated PAX6‐ or TPEF‐promoters could represent biomarkers for this disease. Additional studies are needed to evaluate whether methylation rates of these genes in normal bladder tissues are applicable as accessory markers for the tumour state or its invasive behaviour.     

凋亡蛋白酶活化因子-1基因甲基化在骨肉瘤细胞株中的作用

目的 检测骨肉瘤细胞株中凋亡蛋白酶活化因子(APAF)-1基因启动子区域甲基化状态及该基因mRNA表达,观察APAF-1基因对骨肉瘤形成的影响.方法 以骨肉瘤细胞株MG63和Hs888T为研究对象,提取DNA,经重亚硫酸钠处理后,采用限制性酶切图谱分析(COBRA)检测APAF-1基因CpG岛的甲基化情况,使用不同浓度(0、1×10~(-7)、3×10~(-7)mol/L)的DNA甲基转移酶抑制剂5-氮杂2'-脱氧胞苷(5-Aza-CdR)处理骨肉瘤细胞株4、10、20d,采用实时定量聚合酶链反应(QT-PCR)检测Apaf-1 mRNA表达水平的变化.结果 在Hs888T细胞株中APAF-1基因存在CpG岛甲基化并且随着5-Aza-CdR浓度的增加Apaf-1 mRNA表达水平也在增加.3×10~(-7)mol/L的5-Aza-CdR处理Hs888T细胞株20 d与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 Hs888T细胞株中APAF-1基因异常表达与APAF-1基因启动子区域CpG岛甲基化有关,提示APAF-1基因甲基化可能参与某些骨肉瘤的发生.     

RASSF1A promoter methylation is frequently detected in both pre-malignant and non-malignant microdissected prostatic epithelial tissues

BACKGROUND: The RASSF1A gene is a tumor suppressor gene inactivated by hypermethylation in a very wide variety of malignant tumors including prostate cancer. METHODS: In this study we have used laser capture microdissection to provide pure cell populations to investigate the methylation status of 16 CpG sites in the promoter region of this gene in prostatic intra-epithelial neoplasia, in histologically normal epithelial cells associated with these lesions and in epithelial cells from benign prostatic hyperplasia. RESULTS: Unexpectedly, frequent methylation, detected by sequence analysis following bisulphite treatment, was observed in benign epithelium as well as in the lesions associated with prostatic intra-epithelial neoplasia and at high risk of cancer formation. Fifty percent or more CpG sites were methylated in 7/14 prostatic intra-epithelial neoplasms, 8/11 histologically normal epithelial cells and 8/12 specimens of benign prostatic tissue. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that methylation of the RASSF1A gene is present in both pre-malignant and benign epithelia and suggests quantitation is required for it to be an effective marker of early prostate cancer.     

前列腺癌CRMP4基因启动子甲基化研究

目的分析前列腺癌CRMP4基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化状况及其与CRMP4表达下调的关系,设计较为理想的诊断前列腺癌早期转移的分子诊断探针。方法去甲基化药物5-aza-dC分别以0.5μM、5μM及12.5μM三种不同浓度处理前列腺癌细胞,WesternBlot检测药物处理前后CRMP4表达的变化。硫化测序PCR寻找前列腺癌CRMP4基因启动子区甲基化位点,根据测序结果设计并筛选用于诊断前列腺癌早期转移的甲基化特异性PCR引物。结果去甲基化药物处理后,CRMP4蛋白的表达可以重新上调,并且随着使用的5-aza-dC浓度增加,其表达量也逐渐增加。转移性前列腺癌CRMP4基因启动子区存在2个连续甲基化区域,共有10个CpG位点(-848,-841,-690,-680,-678,-674,-671,-665,-660,-658)其甲基化率极高,而局限性前列腺癌及非肿瘤组织这些CpG位点则未甲基化或有偶发的甲基化。筛选出较为理想的诊断前列腺癌早期转移的甲基化特异性PCR引物,多数转移性前列腺癌及局限性进展期前列腺癌均可扩增出M条带。结论转移性前列腺癌CRMP4表达下调与其基因启动子区CpG岛甲基化相关,筛选出较为理想的诊断前列腺癌早期转移的分子诊断探针,有望为临床早期诊断前列腺癌转移提供新的分子生物学诊断方法。     

Epigenetic regulation of human bone morphogenetic protein 6 gene expression in prostate cancer.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), belonging to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, are multifunctional molecules that regulate bone induction and organ development. Among BMPs, BMP-6 has been shown to be overexpressed in prostate cancer and is speculated to be associated with bone-forming skeletal metastasis. We investigated the regulatory mechanism of the BMP-6 gene expression in prostate cancer cell lines DU-145, LNCaP, PC-3, and PC-3M with regard to the methylation status of the CpG island in the 5' flanking region of the human BMP-6 gene. By sequence-specific analysis of methylated cytosines, we show here that the methylation status of the CpG loci around the Sp1 site of the BMP-6 promoter is related to its steady-state expression and an alternative splicing of messenger RNA (mRNA) in prostate cancer cell lines. Furthermore, a study of clinical cases of benign and malignant prostate lesion by in situ hybridization showed that BMP-6 expression was high at both primary and secondary sites in cases of advanced cancer with metastasis. Demethylation of the CpG loci around the Spl binding site was shown in cases with high BMP-6 expression by sequencing analysis of the methylated cytosine from paraffin-embedded materials. Our results suggested that during cancer progression, besides inactivation of tumor suppressor genes by hypermethylation, activation of certain genes like BMP-6 by selective demethylation was a common epigenetic event giving a variable character to the invading and metastasizing cancer cells.     

原发性肝癌RUNX3基因启动子区甲基化及mRNA表达及其意义

目的 观察原发性肝癌中人RUNT相关转录因子3(RUNX3)基因启动子甲基化及mRNA表达,探讨其甲基化与临床特征的关系.方法 收集75例原发性肝癌患者的肿瘤标本及其癌旁组织、10例正常肝组织,应用甲基化特异性聚合酶链反应(MSP)测定RUNX3基因CpG岛甲基化状态,并采用实时定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)分析RUNX3基因在75例原发性肝癌中的表达水平及甲基化与肝癌临床特征的关系.结果 75例肝癌组织中有34例(45.3％)存在RUNX3基因CpG 岛的异常甲基化,癌旁组织中有7例(9.3％),而正常肝组织中未检测到RUNX3基因CpG岛的异常甲基化,RUNX3基因异常甲基化在肝癌组织、癌旁组织及正常组织中的发生率差异有统计学意义(x2=29.18,P＜0.01);75例原发性肝癌实时定量PCR分析有45例肝癌组织中存在RUNX3 mRNA 表达缺失或下调,其中60％ (27/45)伴随启动子甲基化,即RUNX3 mRNA表达下调与RUNX3基因甲基化密切相关(x2=9.77,P＜0.01);而肝癌组织非甲基化组RUNX3基因表达量高于甲基化组4倍以上;RUNX3基因CpG岛甲基化与患者肝硬化关系密切(x2=5.07,P＜0.05).结论 原发性肝癌存在RUNX3基因CpG岛异常甲基化,CpG岛的甲基化可能是导致其基因表达降低的主要原因之一,并与患者肝硬化密切相关.     

Aberrant methylation of the TDMR of the GTF2AIL promoter does not affect fertilisation rates via TESE in patients with hypospermatogenesis

Increasing evidence shows a relationship between epigenetic regulation and male infertility. The GTF2A1L gene promoter contains the DNA methylation site of a tissue-specific differentially methylated region （TDMR）. Eighty-six patients with non-obstructive azoospermia were assessed for the DNA methylation state of CpG islands in the GTF2AIL promoter using testicular genomic DNA. Based on histological criteria, 26 of the 86 patients had normal spermatogenesis （controls）, 17 had hypospermatogenesis and 26 had a Sertoli cell-only phenotype or tubular sclerosis. GTF2AIL TDMR methylation was significantly lower in testes DNA from control samples than from hypospermatogenic samples （P=0.029）. Patients with hypospermatogenesis were divided into two subgroups： high DNA methylation （HM, n=5） and low DNA methylation （LM, n= 12）. The GTF2AIL TDMR methylation rate differed significantly between the HM and LM groups （P=0.0019）, and GTF2A 1L expression was significantly higher among the LM than in the HM patients （P=0.023）. High TDMR methylation was correlated with low GTF2AIL gene expression levels. Both groups demonstrated relatively good outcomes with respect to sperm retrieval, fertilisation, pregnancy and childbirth rates. We observed that aberrant GTF2AIL gene expression was not correlated with fertilisation rates. The testicular sperm extraction （TESE） technique may be used to overcome male infertility due to aberrant TDMR methvlation.     

胰腺癌SOCS-1基因异常甲基化研究

目的：探索人类胰腺癌中SOCS—1基因是否由于异常甲基化而表达抑制；查询此现象在胰腺癌的发生、发展中的意义。方法：采集25例胰腺导管腺癌病人的肿瘤标本及5例对应的正常胰腺组织，运用甲基化特异性PCR反应研究胰腺癌组织中SOCS—1基因CpG岛甲基化状态，同时运用实时定量PCR分析SOCS—1基因的表达。结果：25例胰腺导管腺癌病人中有9例（36％）SOCS—1基因呈CpG岛甲基化，而正常组织则无SOCS—1基因CpG岛甲基化；SOCS—1基因CpG岛甲基化组的SOCS—1基因表达量与无SOCS—1基因CpG岛甲基化组相比，其基因相对表达量明显减少（P〈0．05），证明SOCS—1基因CpG岛甲基化可以抑制SOCS—1基因表达。与病人临床病理特征相结合比较．发现SOCS—1基因CpG岛甲基化与年龄、性别、肿瘤体积、肿瘤分化程度及TNM分期等因素无关。结论：在胰腺导管腺癌中存在SOCS—1基因CpG岛甲基化，且由于CpG岛甲基化而促使基因表达抑制。SOCS—1基因CDG岛甲基化在胰腺癌的发生、发展中可能具有一定的作用。     

胰腺癌微卫星不稳定性、hMLH1启动子甲基化及其蛋白表达研究

目的探讨胰腺癌中微卫星不稳定性（MSI）与hMLH1启动子甲基化及蛋白表达之间的联系，揭示胰腺癌发生的分子机制。方法从35例胰腺癌患者的正常胰腺组织、癌组织中提取DNA；SSCP法检测标本中微卫星不稳定性发生情况；免疫组织化学法检测错配修复基因hMLH1在胰腺癌中的表达情况；MSP法检测hMLH1基因启动子甲基化状态。结果35例胰腺癌中微卫星高度不稳定7例，低度不稳定14例，稳定11例，正常组织中没有出现微卫星不稳定，两者之间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。hMLH1在微卫星不稳定胰腺癌组织中常为缺失表达。在微卫星稳定胰腺癌组织中呈正常表达。35例胰腺癌中hMLH1启动子CpG岛甲基化发生率为60％（21/35）。正常组织中未发现甲基化，两者之间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论与胰腺癌有关的错配修复基因hMLH1启动子CpG岛甲基化是hMLH1基因失活的重要机制，而hMLH1的表达失活则可能导致MSI的产生，促进胰腺癌的发生。     

Cigarette smoking induces only marginal changes in sperm DNA methylation levels of patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment

DNA methylation plays important roles in genome stability and regulation of gene expression. This study was designed to determine the influence of cigarette smoking on sperm DNA methylation. From a genome‐wide survey on sperm samples, differentially methylated target CpGs should be selected and subjected to local deep bisulphite sequencing. Obtained methylation data are compared to sperm parameters and (ICSI) outcome. Similar to pilot study, samples were subjected to Infinium 450K BeadChip arrays to identify alterations in sperm DNA methylation between smokers and nonsmokers males. Routine testing on a significantly altered CpG site was performed on more samples using local deep bisulphite sequencing. Of approximately 485,000 CpG sites analysed, only seven CpGs were found to show a significant DNA methylation difference of >20% with the top six CpGs overlapping common SNP sites. The remaining CpG site (cg19455396) is located in intron 12 of the TAP2 gene. The results of deep bisulphite sequencing showed only a tendency towards hypomethylation in the smoking group. This study could not detect biologically relevant CpG positions that are altered in sperm DNA methylation on the influence of cigarette smoking beyond individual‐specific effects that may be caused by other environmental factors.