Methylation state of cellular genes and oncogenes as a marker of malignancy in human carcinomas
Barbieri, R.; Gambari, R.; Buzzoni, D.; Piva, R.; Orlando, P.; Mischiati, C.; del Senno, L.; Nastruzzi, C.; Giacomini, P.; Natali, P.G.
Tumori 75(4): 321-328
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8916 PMID: 2815342 Document Number: 327358
The methylation pattern of the human HLA-DR.alpha. gene was analyzed in primary tumors and lymph node metastases isolated from patients with a variety of tumors, including thyroid, pancreas, breast and gastric carcinomas and melanomas. In normal tissues (including breast, muscle, brain, sperm, T- and B-lymphocytes) the HLA-DR.alpha. gene is hypermethylated at CCGG and GCGC sites. In all tissues studied, the only constantly unmethylated region was located in the 5' portion of the gene. Our results indicate that the HLA-DR.alpha. gene is hypomethylated in metastatic lymph nodes, as well as in the carcinomas and melanomas studied. These findings lend support to the hypothesis that DNA hypomethylation of the human HLA-DR.alpha. gene may represent a molecular marker of malignant tumors.