• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.3773-3778
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• 2013

Increased oxidative stress and changes in DNA methylation are frequently detected in bladder cancer patients. We previously demonstrated a relationship between increased oxidative stress and hypomethylation of the transposable long-interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1). Promoter hypermethylation of a tumor suppressor gene, runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3), may also be associated with bladder cancer genesis. In this study, we investigated changes of DNA methylation in LINE-1 and RUNX3 promoter in a bladder cancer cell (UM-UC-3) under oxidative stress conditions, stimulated by challenge with $H_2O_2$ for 72 h. Cells were pretreated with an antioxidant, tocopheryl acetate for 1 h to attenuate oxidative stress. Methylation levels of LINE-1 and RUNX3 promoter were measured by combined bisulfite restriction analysis PCR and methylation-specific PCR, respectively. Levels of LINE-1 methylation were significantly decreased in $H_2O_2$-treated cells, and reestablished after pretreated with tocopheryl acetate. Methylation of RUNX3 promoter was significantly increased in cells exposed to $H_2O_2$. In tocopheryl acetate pretreated cells, it was markedly decreased. In conclusion, hypomethylation of LINE-1 and hypermethylation of RUNX3 promoter in bladder cancer cell line was experimentally induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present findings support the hypothesis that oxidative stress promotes urothelial cell carcinogenesis through modulation of DNA methylation. Our data also imply that mechanistic pathways of ROS-induced alteration of DNA methylation in a repetitive DNA element and a gene promoter might differ.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.1833-1836
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• 2012

Objective: Promoter methylation, which can be regulated by MTHFR activity, is associated with silencing of genes. In this study we evaluated the methylation status (type) of the BRCA2 promoter in ovarian cancer patients carrying different genotypes of the MTHFR gene (A or C polymorphisms at position 1298). Methods: The methylation type of the BRCA2 promoter was evaluated using bisulfate-modified DNA in methylation-specific PCR and the MTHFRa1278c polymorphism was assessed by PCR-RFLP. Results: Analysis of the BRCA2 promoter methylation type of cases showed that 7 out of 60 cases (11.7%) were methylated while the remaining 53 (88.3%) were unmethylated. In methylated cases, one out of the 7 cases had a CC genotype and the remaining 6 methylated cases had an AC genotype. The AA genotype was absent. In unmethylated cases, 34, 18, and one out of these had AC, AA and CC genotype, respectively. Conclusion: There was no significant relationship between the methylation types of the BRCA2 promoter in different genotypes of MTHFRa1298c polymorphism in ovarian cancer; p=0.255. There was no significant relation between the methylation types of the BRCA2 promoter in different genotypes of the MTHFRa1298c polymorphism in ovarian cancer.

• 약학회지
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.42-47
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• 1999

Phorbol ester, growth factors activities are mediated by unclear transcription factors, the c-Fos and c-Jun, which can regulate transcriptional activation through specific DNA sites and by forming the transcription factor AP-l, which usually mediates cell proliferation and differentiation signals. We explored effects of Pini Folium extract (API-l) on AP-l activity. Western blot analysis confirmed that API-l decreased levels of c-Fos or c-Jun protein induced by the tumor promoter Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 200 nM). Transient transfection assays with a c-fos promoter reporter construct showed that API-l decreased transcription activity by ore than 50~60%. However, treatment of API-l activity studied further. The main substances were fractionated into dichloromethane layer. Futhermore, API-l extract repressed the [$^3H$]-thymidine uptake in C6 glioma cells, indicating that this extract could be included in a new type of modulator in the mitogenesis.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제18권10호
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• pp.1395-1399
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• 2008

우리는 최근에 PRC1 프로모터가 유방암 유전자치료를 위하여 전사 표적이 된 유전자의 발현을 조절할 수 있는 후보 프로모터임을 보고하였다. 우리는 본 실험에서 PRC1이 폐암유전자 치료에서도 적용이 가능한지 조사하였다. 특정 프로모터가 루시퍼라제 유전자와 연결된 플라스미드를 이용한 형질전환 assay에서 PRC1 프로모터는 정상폐세포주에서는 활성을 보이지 않으나 폐암세포주에선 약 30 배의 활성을 보였다. 이는 이미 암특이적인 발현으로 알려진 BIRC5 (survivin) 프로모터와 유사한 결과였다. 또한, 바이러스 벡터를 이용한 실험에서 PRC1은 CMV 프로모터에 비해 아데노부속바이러스에서 약 75%, 아데노바이러스에서 약 66%의활성을 보였다. 이와 대조적으로, PRC1 프로모터를 함유한 이 들 두 종류의 바이러스는 정상 폐세포에서는 20%정도의 낮은 활성을 보였다. 흥미롭게도, 인간 폐종양세포를 이식한 생쥐모델을 사용한 결과에서는 PRC1 프로모터가 CMV 프로모터와 비슷한 생체 활성을 보였다. 종합하면, 이상의 결과는 PRC1이 폐암 유전자치료를 위한 전사표적 유전자의 발현을 위한 프로모터로 사용 가능함을 암시한다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.33-38
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• 2014

Background: Meningiomas are the second most common primary intracranial tumors after gliomas. Epigenetic biomarkers such as DNA methylation, which is found in many tumors and is thus important in tumorigenesis can help diagnose meningiomas and predict response to adjuvant chemotherapy. We investigated aberrant O6-methyl guanine methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation in meningiomas. Materials and Methods: Sixty-one patients were classified according to the WHO grading, and MGMT promoter methylation status was examined via the methylation-Specific PCR(MSP) method. Results: MGMT promoter methylation was found in 22.2% of grade I, 35% of grade I with atypical features, 36% of grade II, and 42.9% of grade III tumors. Conclusions: There was an increase, albeit not statistically significant, in MGMT methylation with a rise in the tumor grade. Higher methylation levels were also observed in the male gender.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권15호
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• pp.6397-6403
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• 2014

Background: Aberrant promoter hypermethylation has been recognized in human breast carcinogenesis as a frequent molecular alteration associated with the loss of expression of a number of key regulatory genes and may serve as a biomarker. The E-cadherin gene (CDH1), mapping at chromosome 16q22, is an intercellular adhesion molecule in epithelial cells, which plays an important role in establishing and maintaining intercellular connections. The aim of our study was to assess the methylation pattern of CDH1 and to correlate it with the expression of E-cadherin, clinicopathological parameters and hormone receptor status in breast cancer patients of Kashmir. Materials and Methods: Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to determine the methylation status of CDH1 in 128 invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) paired with the corresponding normal tissue samples. Immunohistochemistry was used to study the expression of E-cadherin, ER and PR. Results: CDH1 hypermethylation was detected in 57.8% of cases and 14.8% of normal adjacent controls. Reduced levels of E-cadherin protein were observed in 71.9% of our samples. Loss of E-cadherin expression was significantly associated with the CDH1 promoter region methylation (p<0.05, OR=3.48, CI: 1.55-7.79). Hypermethylation of CDH1 was significantly associated with age at diagnosis (p=0.030), tumor size (p=0.008), tumor grade (p=0.024) and rate of node positivity or metastasis (p=0.043). Conclusions: Our preliminary findings suggest that abnormal CDH1 methylation occurs in high frequencies in infiltrating breast cancers associated with a decrease in E-cadherin expression. We found significant differences in tumor-related CDH1 gene methylation patterns relevant to tumor grade, tumor size, nodal involvement and age at diagnosis of breast tumors, which could be extended in future to provide diagnostic and prognostic information.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.6261-6265
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• 2013

Background: Recent studies have suggested that expression of the RAS protein activator like-1 gene (RASAL1) is decreased in gastric carcinoma tissues and cell lines, indicated a role in tumorigenesis and development of gastric cancer. Reduced expression of RASAL1 could result in aberrant increase of activity of RAS signaling pathways in cancer cells. However, the exact mechanism which induces down-regulation of the RASAL1 gene remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the methylation status and regulation of RASAL1 in gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Using the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP), the methylation status of CpG islands in the RASAL1 promoter in gastric cancers and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues from 40 patients was assessed and its clinicopathological significance was analyzed. The methylation status of RASAL1 in gastric cancer lines MKN-28, SGC-790l, BGC-823, as well as in normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-l was also determined after treatment with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-doexycytidine (5-Aza-CdR). RAS activity (GAS-GTP) was assessed through a pull-down method, while protein levels of ERK1/2, a downstream molecule of RAS signaling pathways, were determined by Western blotting. Results: The frequencies of RASAL1 promoter methylation in gastric cancer and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues were 70% (28/40) and 30% (12/40) respectively (P<0.05). There were significantly correlations between RASAL1 promoter methylation with tumor differentiation, tumor size, invasive depth and lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer (all P<0.05), but no correlation was found for age or gender. Promoter hypermethylation of the RASAL1 gene was detected in MKN-28, SGC-790l and BGC-823 cancer cells, but not in the normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-1. Elevated expression of the RASAL1 protein, a decreased RAS-GTP and p-ERK1/2 protein were detected in three gastric cancer cell lines after treatment with 5-Aza-CdR. Conclusions: Aberrant hypermethylation of the RASAL1 gene promoter frequently occurs in gastric cancer tissues and cells. In addition, the demethylating agent 5-Aza-CdR can reverse the hypermethylation of RASAL1 gene and up-regulate the expression of RASAL1 significantly in gastric cancer cells in vivo. Our study suggests that RASAL1 promoter methylation may have a certain relationship with the reduced RASAL1 expression in gastric cancer.

• 대한골관절종양학회지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.13-25
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• 2009

서론: $O^6$-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)는 DNA 염기 손상에 의해 형성된 $O^6$-methylguanine에서 알킬기를 제거하여 DNA 염기 손상을 복구하는 역할을 한다. MGMT의 후생유전적 불활성화가 인체 종양에서 보고되고 있으며, 항암 치료에 대한 저항성에 영향을 주는 요소로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 연부조직육종에서 이러한 MGMT 불활성화가 미치는 영향에 대해 살펴보고자 하였다. 재료 및 방법: 총 62예의 연부조직육종조직에서 메틸화 특이 중합효소연쇄반응을 이용하여 MGMT 유전자의 촉진자 부위 메틸화 정도를 알아보고, 면역조직화학염색을 통하여 MGMT 단백 발현의 소실 양상을 살펴보았다. 결과: MGMT 단백 발현 소실은 진행성 병기(p=0.000), 조직학적 고등급(p=0.005), 종양의 재발 또는 전이(p=0.011), 그리고, 낮은 생존률(p=0.017)과 통계학적 유의성을 보였다. MGMT 유전자 촉진자 부위 메틸화는 조직학적 고등급, 종양의 재발 또는 전이, 그리고, 낮은 생존률과 관련성을 보였다. 또한, MGMT 단백 발현의 소실은 MGMT 유전자 촉진자 부위 과메틸화와 높은 상관성을 나타내었다(p=0.000). 결론: 본 연구는 MGMT 단백 발현의 소실과 MGMT 유전자 촉진자 부위 과메틸화가 연부조직 육종에서 흔히 발생하며 종양의 공격적인 양상 및 나쁜 예후와 관련성이 있다는 것을 보여준다. 또한 MGMT 단백 발현의 소실은 대개 MGMT 유전자 촉진자 부위 과메틸화로 인해 발생한다는 사실을 보여주고 있다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권5호
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• pp.452-456
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• 2015

Obesity is the fifth leading risk for death globally, and a significant challenge to global health. It is a common, complex, non-malignant disease and develops due to interactions between the genes and the environment. DNA methylation can act as a downstream effector of environmental signals; analysis of this process therefore holds substantial promise for identifying mechanisms through which genetic and environmental factors jointly contribute to disease risk. To assess the effects of excessive weight and obesity on gene-specific methylation levels of promoter regions, we determined the methylation status of four genes involved in inflammation and oxidative stress [interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ ($TNF{\alpha}$), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), and glucose transport 4 (GLUT4)] in blood cell-derived DNA from healthy women volunteers with a range of body mass indices (BMIs) by methylation-specific PCR. Interestingly, the samples from obese individuals ($BMI{\geq}30kg/m^2$) showed significantly increased hypermethylation for IL6 gene compared to normal weight ($BMI<23kg/m^2$) and overweight sample ($23kg/m^2{\leq}BMI<30kg/m^2$) (P = 0.034 and P = 0.026). However there was no statistically significant difference in promoter methylation of the other 3 genes between each group. These findings suggest that aberrant DNA methylation of IL6 gene promoter may play an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of obesity and IL6 methylation could be used as molecular biomarker for obesity risk assessment. Further studies are required to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying this relationship.

• BMB Reports
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.142-150
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• 2007

Epigenetic alterations, represented by aberrant DNA methylation, are deeply involved in human cancers. In gastric cancers, tumor-suppressor genes are inactivated more frequently by promoter methylation than by mutations. We recently showed that H. pylori infection, a potent gastric carcinogenic factor, induces methylation of specific genes in the gastric mucosae. When the methylation levels were analyzed in the gastric mucosae of healthy volunteers, cases with a single gastric cancer, and cases with multiple gastric cancers, who have increasing levels of risks for gastric cancers, there was a significant increasing trend in the methylation levels among the individuals without current H. pylori infection. This finding unequivocally showed the presence of an epigenetic field for cancerization. The degree of the field defect was measured more conveniently using methylation levels of marker genes than using those of tumor-suppressor genes. The presence of an epigenetic field for cancerization has been indicated for liver, colon, Barrett's esophageal, lung, breast, and renal cancers. Since decreased transcription is involved in the specificity of methylated genes, it is likely that specific genes are methylated according to carcinogenic factors. These findings emphasize the usefulness of DNA methylation as a marker for past exposure to carcinogens and future risk of cancer development.