Promoter methylation of p16INK4a, RASSF1A, and DAPK is frequent in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Promoter methylation is a common mechanism of inactivation of tumor suppressor genes in multiple tumor types. However, little is known about its role in the development of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary gland (ACC). In the current study, the authors investigated whether promoter methylation is common in ACC and whether it may influence ACC development. METHODS: The promoter methylation status of the genes p16(INK4a), RASSF1A, DAPK, and MGMT, which are important in cell growth regulation, apoptosis, and DNA repair, was determined in tissue sections of tumor samples from 60 patients with ACC using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The association between methylation status and patients' clinical and pathologic characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 60 tumors, DNA methylation of the p16(INK4a) promoter was detected in 28 tumors (47%); the respective values DNA methylation of the RASSF1A, DAPK, and MGMT promoters were 25 tumors (42%), 16 tumors (27%), and 4 tumors (7%), respectively. Forty-six tumors (77%) had DNA methylation in > or = 1 of the 4 promoters, 20 tumors (33%) had DNA methylation in > or = 2 promoters, 6 tumors (10%) had DNA methylation in > or = 3 promoters, and 1 tumor (2%) had DNA methylation in all 4 promoters. RASSF1A promoter methylation was more frequent in high-grade tumors than in low-grade tumors (P = 0.009), in advanced-stage tumors (P = 0.008), and in tumors with metastasis (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Promoter methylation of p16(INK4a), RASSF1A, and DAPK was common in ACC, and it is possible that such methylation may influence the development of ACC. The high frequency of RASSF1A promoter methylation in high-grade tumors and in tumors with metastasis suggested a role for this gene in the progression of ACC.     

两种方法检测胃癌患者CHFR基因启动子区甲基化的状态

背景与目的:目前认为CpG岛甲基化导致转录抑制是恶性肿瘤发生的重要机制之一.微管抑制剂诱发有丝分裂应激时,CHFR基因能够控制细胞分裂的进行.本研究检测胃癌中CHFR基因启动子区甲基化状态,探讨该基因甲基化状态与胃癌临床病理特征的关系;并比较甲基化特异性PCR方法(methylationsoecific polymerase chain reaction, MSP)和结合重亚硫酸盐的限制性内切酶法(combined bisulfite restriction analysis, COBRA)在检测胃癌组织CHFR基因甲基化状态的差异性.方法:首先采用MSP方法检测64例胃癌患者胃癌组织和相对应的癌旁正常组织中CHFR基因肩动子区的甲基化状态,然后采用COBRA方法检测64例胃癌患者胃癌组织中CHFR基因启动子区的甲基化状态,并将检测结果结合各病例的临床特征进行分析.结果:MSP方法检测结果显示,51.6%的胃癌组织和18.8%的癌旁正常组织中存在CHFR基因异常甲基化,两者之间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);CHFR基因启动子区异常甲基化状态在不同临床病理学特征(包括年龄、性别、肿瘤大小、病理分期、Borrman分型、肿瘤浸润深度、组织分化程度和淋巴转移程度)的胃癌组织和癌旁组织中的差异无统计学意义(P值均>0.05).COBRA方法检测结果显示.肿瘤组织CHFR甲基化阳性率为42.2%(27/64.),与MSP方法检测结果的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论:CHFR基因异常甲基化是胃癌发生过程中的频发事件,检测胃黏膜组织中CHFR基因异常甲基化状态可能有助于胃癌的诊断.对于胃癌组织CHFR基因启动子区甲基化的检测,MSP与COBRA两种方法没有明显差异.     

宫颈癌组织中DAPK基因启动子甲基化的研究

背景与目的:已有研究表明DNA异常甲基化在肿瘤的发生、发展中发挥了重要作用.本研究旨在探讨宫颈癌组织中DAPK(death-associated protein kinase)启动子甲基化与基因失活的关系.方法:应用甲基化特异性PCR (methylation-specific PCR,MSP)技术检测52例宫颈癌、60例宫颈上皮内瘤样病变(cervical intraepithelial neoplasia,CIN)和20例正常宫颈鳞状上皮DAPK启动子甲基化状况,应用免疫组化方法检测其蛋白表达;分析DAPK启动子甲基化和基因失活与宫颈癌临床病理因素之间的关系.结果:正常宫颈组织不存在DAPK基因启动子CpG岛甲基化,而CIN和宫颈癌中的DAPK甲基化率分别为18.3%(11/60)、65.4%(34/52),三者之间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).宫颈鳞癌的DAPK甲基化率明显高于腺癌(分别为80.0%和16.7%),其差异有统计学意义(P<0.001).DAPK启动子甲基化和DAPK蛋白表达之间呈负相关(r=-0.849,P<0.001).结论:DAPK启动子CpG岛甲基化可导致基因失活,并可能参与宫颈癌的发生.     

Promoter methylation of DAPK1, FHIT,MGMT, and CDKN2A genes in cervical carcinoma

Background and objectives

Aberrant DNA methylation contributes to the malignant phenotype in virtually all types of human cancer. This study explored the relationship between promoter methylation and inactivation of the DAPK1, FHIT, MGMT, and CDKN2A genes in cervical cancer.

Methods

The promoter methylation of DAPK1, FHIT, MGMT, and CDKN2A was investigated by using a methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction in 53 specimens of cervical cancer (42 squamous cell carcinoma, 11 adenocarcinoma), 22 specimens of intraepithelial neoplasia tissues, and 24 control normal cervical tissue specimens. The correlation of promoter methylation with the clinicopathological features of cervical cancer was analyzed. The expressions of DAPK1, FHIT, MGMT, and CDKN2A were detected by measuring relative mRNA levels.

Results

The promoter methylation of DAPK1, FHIT, MGMT, and CDKN2A in cervical cancer vs. intraepithelial neoplasia vs. normal cervical tissue was 75.5 vs. 31.8 vs. 4.2 % (p < 0.0001), 66.0 vs. 59.1 vs. 25.0 % (p = 0.0033), 34.0 vs. 27.3 vs. 20.8 % (p = 0.76), and 17.0 vs. 31.8 vs. 8.3 % (p = 0.11), respectively. The methylation of the promoter region significantly decreased the expression of only DAPK1 (p = 0.03). The methylation rate of the DAPK1 gene promoter was significantly higher in cervical cancer tissues than in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and normal cervical tissues.

Conclusion

Promoter methylation may therefore lead to the inactivation of the DAPK1 gene, and may be related to the progression of cervical oncogenesis.     

p16基因CpG岛甲基化与胃癌及癌前病变

表观遗传学研究发现,p16基因CpG岛甲基化可以抑制其表达,进而与胃癌的发生发展密切相关.进一步的研究显示不同类型胃癌中p16基因CpG岛甲基化阳性率不尽相同.在肠型胃癌中,p16基因甲基化阳性率随着癌前病变程度逐渐加重而升高.但是尚需开展大规模的人群前瞻性研究,以验证p16基因CpG岛甲基化能否成为胃癌筛查、诊断及治疗的分子标志物.     

PROMOTER HYPERMETHYLATION OF p16 GENE AND DAPK GENE IN SERA FROM HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA （HCC） PATIENTS

Objective： To analyze the aberrant methylation of p16 gene and DAPK gene in sera from primary liver cancer patients ad to evaluate the clinical significance. Methods： A methylation-specific PCR was performed for the detection of promoter hypermethylation of p16 gene and DAPK gene in blood DNA from 64 cases of HCC patients, and to analyze the relation of the aberrant methylation of p16 gene and KAPK gene and the clinical pathological data. Results： 76.6%（49/64） of the sera from 64 cases of HCC patients showed hypermethylation for p16 promoter and 40.6% （26/64） for KAPK promoter, whereas no methylated p16 gene promoter and DAPK gene promoter were found in sera from benign liver diseases patients and normal control. Methylated p16 gene and KAPK gene promoters in sera did not strongly correlated with HBsAg, stage, metastasis and differentiation in HCC; but strongly correlated with AFP. Conclusion： Detection of the aberrant methylation of p16 gene and KAPK gene in blood DNA from HCC patients might offer an effective means for the earlier auxiliary diagnosis of the malignancy.     

Promoter methylation status of DAP-kinase and RUNX3 genes in neoplastic and non-neoplastic gastric epithelia

Silencing of tumor suppressor and tumor-related genes by hyper-methylation at promoter CpG islands is frequently found in human tumors, including gastric cancer. Promoter methylation is not restricted to cancer cells, and is also present in non-neoplastic cells as an age-related tissue-specific phenomenon. To clarify the physiological consequence of DAP-kinase and RUNX3 age-related methylation in gastric epithelia, we investigated the promoter methylation status of these genes in both neoplastic and non-neoplastic gastric epithelia obtained at autopsy and surgery, as well as in 10 gastric cancer cell lines. Methylation of DAP-kinase and RUNX3 was detected in 10% (1/10) and 70% (7/10) of the cell lines, respectively, and was almost concordant with their expression status. Among autopsy samples, methylation of these genes was not seen in non-neoplastic gastric epithelia from persons who were aged 22 years and below (0%; 0/4). DAP-kinase was methylated in 87% (13/15) of non-neoplastic gastric epithelia of persons who were aged 45 years or older, while RUNX3 methylation in non-neoplastic gastric epithelia was restricted to individuals who were aged 77 years or older. Among samples obtained from patients with stomach cancer, methylation was observed in both the neoplastic and the corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia; 43% (40/93) and 73% (68/93) for DAP-kinase , and 45% (42/93) and 8% (7/93) for RUNX3 , respectively. Frequencies of DAP-kinase and RUNX3 methylation differed significantly in non-neoplastic gastric epithelia ( P <0.01), although those in gastric cancers were almost the same. RUNX3 methylation is mostly cancer-specific, except for very old individuals, and therefore may be a possible molecular diagnostic marker and malignancy predictor. (Cancer Sci 2003; 94: 360–364)     

Inactivation of the p16INK4A gene by methylation is not a frequent event in sporadic ovarian carcinoma

The p16INK4A tumour suppressor gene (p16) encodes for a cyclin-dependant kinase inhibitor which plays a role in the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) during regulation of the G1-S phase of the cell cycle. Loss of heterozygosity at 9p21, the chromosomal location of the p16 gene, has been reported in a broad range of tumours and this is usually indicative of the presence of a tumour suppressor gene, the second allele being frequently inactivated by mutation or deletion. The p16 gene, however, is often found not be mutated or deleted and it has been suggested that hypermethylation of the CpG islands of the gene may be an alternative mechanism of gene inactivation. We sought to determine the levels of p16 abnormality in a series of epithelial ovarian carcinomas in an attempt to clarify the presently conflicting evidence of whether or not hypermethylation of the p16 gene plays a role in ovarian carcinogenesis. We analysed 57 primary ovarian tumours and their corresponding blood DNA using SSCP analysis, sequencing and the methylation specific PCR (MSP) technique. We found low levels of mutation (6.7% of malignant tumours) and no evidence of methylation in any of our samples, suggesting that neither mutation or hypermethylation of the CpG islands of the p16 gene play an important role in ovarian carcinogenesis.     

p16 Promoter methylation is a potential predictor of malignant transformation in oral epithelial dysplasia

Management of the patient with oral epithelial dysplasia depends on the ability to predict malignant transformation. Histologic grading of this condition fails in this regard and is also subject to interpathologist and intrapathologist variability. This study uses longitudinal clinical samples to explore the prognostic value of a previously validated panel of methylation biomarkers in a cohort of patients with histologically proven oral dysplasia. Methylation enrichment pyrosequencing assays were used to provide the sensitivity of traditional methylation-specific PCR with the additional specificity advantages of a subsequent confirmatory sequencing reaction. In 57% (8 of 14) patients with a lesion that transformed to oral squamous cell carcinoma, 26% (26 of 100) of longitudinal samples collected over > or =3 years showed p16 methylation. Only 1% (2 of 184) of samples from 8% of patients (2 of 24) not undergoing malignant transformation within 3 years had p16 methylation. Both of these samples with p16 promoter methylation were the most recently collected and the patients remain under continuing clinical review. Promoter methylation of MGMT, CYGB, and CCNA1 did not correlate with malignant progression. We thus conclude that methylation of the p16 gene promoter shows promise as a predictor for malignant transformation (Fisher's exact, P = 0.002) in a subset of patients.     

Promoter methylation of cyclin D2 gene in gastric carcinoma

Methylation of CpG island in the promoter has been recognized as an important mechanism for regulation of gene expression. Although considerable work has been done on the epigenetic control of tumor suppressor genes, little is known about the potential role of promoter CpG demethylation in the activation of oncogenes. The cyclin D2 gene is overexpressed in a subset of gastric carcinoma. To determine whether hypomethylation of cyclin D2 is involved in stomach carcinogenesis, we studied methylation of CpG islands in the cyclin D2 gene by methylation-specific PCR in 34 gastric carcinoma specimens, 21 corresponding non-neoplastic mucosae, and 8 gastric carcinoma cell lines. We also measured levels of cyclin D2 mRNA in 23 of the gastric carcinoma cases and in the gastric carcinoma cell lines. Hypomethylation of the cyclin D2 promoter was found in 24 (71%) of the 34 tumor tissues and in 6 (29%) of the 21 corresponding non-neoplastic mucosa, the incidence being significantly different (p=0.002; Fisher's exact test). Moreover, hypomethylation of cyclin D2 was more common in stage III and IV tumors than in stage I and II tumors (p=00.014; Fisher's exact test). All of three cell lines with promoter hypomethylation expressed detectable levels of cyclin D2 mRNA. Treatment of cyclin D2-negative cells lines harboring promoter hypermethylation with demethylating agent, 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine, led to a reactivation of cyclin D2 expression. These results suggest that DNA hypomethylation is a mechanism underlying the increased expression of cyclin D2 in cancer cells and that demethylation of cyclin D2 may be involved in development and progression of gastric carcinoma.     

High-density methylation of p14ARF and p16INK4A in Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma

Promoter hypermethylation of various tumor-related genes is extremely frequent in gastric carcinoma (GC) associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). To investigate the significance of the promoter methylation in this type of GC, we examined the methylation densities of the promoter regions of p14ARF and p16INK4A in EBV-associated (n=7) and EBV-negative (n=14) GC. Bisulfite sequencing demonstrated a high frequency of concurrent methylation of p14ARF and p16INK4A promoter regions in EBVaGC. Methylation was observed in all 29 CpG sites of p14ARF and all 16 sites of p16INK4A with equally high densities. In EBV-negative GC, the methylation profiles differed between the 2 genes. Promoter methylation was sporadic and variable in p14ARF, and only the last position of CpG in p14ARF was methylated at high frequency. High-density methylation in p16INK4A was observed in a subset of GC, but the first position of CpG was never methylated in EBV-negative GC. These findings suggest the presence of mechanisms of de novo and maintenance methylation specific to EBVaGC that might be associated with EBV infection.     

Reduced expression and promoter methylation of p16 gene in Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) is a unique type of gastric carcinoma (GC), which is considered to develop in a different pathway from EBV-negative GC. To evaluate a possible role of p16, an inhibitor of G1/S transition of the cell cycle, in the carcinogenesis of EBVaGC, p16-immunohistochemistry and methylation-specific PCR analysis (MSP) were applied to surgically resected gastric carcinomas. When the percentage of p16-positive cells in more than 1000 carcinoma cells was expressed as p16 labeling index (p16-LI), it ranged from 2.5 to 88.1 (mean 42.9+/-24.4) in 70 gastric carcinomas. EBVaGC showed significantly lower values (n=15, 26.1+/ -22.1) than EBV-negative GC (n=55, 47.5+/-23.2) (P=0.0036). Fresh frozen tissues of 55 gastric carcinomas (16 EBVaGC and 39 EBV-negative GC) were further subjected to MSP, to evaluate abnormal methylation of the promoter region of the p16 gene. The frequency of methylation was significantly higher in EBVaGC (14/16) than in EBV-negative GC (9/39) (<0.0001). The methylation-positive carcinomas showed significantly lower p16-LI (35.9+/-21.6) than the unmethylated ones (55.2+/-22.7) (P=0.0014). Thus, a marked decrease of p16 expression, caused by the aberrant methylation of the p16 gene promoter, is closely associated with the development of EBVaGC.     

Promoter hypermethylation profile of tumor-associated genes p16, p15, hMLH1, MGMT and E-cadherin in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Aberrant promoter hypermethylation of tumor-associated genes leading to their inactivation is a common event in many cancer types. Using a sensitive restriction-multiplex PCR method, we studied the promoter hypermethylation profile of the p16, p15, hMLH1, MGMT and E-cad genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) of Indians. We analyzed a total of 51 samples for the p15 tumor-suppressor gene and 99 samples for each of the remaining genes. Our studies indicate an incidence of promoter hypermethylation of 23% each for p16 and p15, 8% for hMLH1, 41% for MGMT and 35% for E-cad. We observed aberrant hypermethylation of the promoter region of at least 1 of these genes in 74.5% of cases (n = 51) for which all the 5 genes were studied. Abnormal methylation was detected in tumors irrespective of stage and location in the oral cavity, whereas no abnormal methylation was detectable in normal oral squamous tissues obtained from 25 OSCC patients. Detection of aberrant hypermethylation patterns of cancer-associated genes listed above is therefore suitable for diagnosis of OSCC in individuals at high risk for this disease.     

Promoter methylation of CDKN2A and lack of p16 expression characterize patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background  

The product of CDKN2A, p16 is an essential regulator of the cell cycle controlling the entry into the S-phase. Herein, we evaluated CDKN2A promoter methylation and p16 protein expression for the differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from other liver tumors.