FOXA1 positively regulates gene expression by changing gene methylation status in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells

Objective: DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification with tumor suppressor gene silencing in cancer. The mechanisms underlying DNA methylation patterns are still poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the potential value of FOXA1 for controlling gene CpG island methylation in breast cancer. Methods: FOXA1 was down-regulated by transfection with siRNA and up-regulated by transfection with plasmid in MCF-7 cell lines. The DNA methylation and mRNA levels were examined by qMSP and qRT-PCR. The cell proliferation and apoptosis was detected by MTT and Flow cytometry. Results: Suppression of FOXA1 enhanced the methylation status of DAPK, MGMT, RASSF1A, p53, and depressed mRNA levels of these tumor suppressor genes, whereas over-expression of FOXA1 showed the opposite effects. DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B mRNA were up-regulated by siRNA knock-down of FOXA1. At the same time, FOXA1 suppression promoted cell growth and inhibited apoptosis. Conclusions: FOXA1 may be associated with methylation of the tumor suppressor genes promoter through changing DNMTs expression. FOXA1 could be a potential demethylation target for prevention and treatment of breast cancer.