Concordant methylation of the ER and N33 genes in glioblastoma multiforme

Qing Li, Ann Jedlicka, Nita Ahuja, M. Christopher Gibbons, Stephen B. Baylin, Peter C. Burger, Jean Pierre J. Issa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Methylation of promoter-associated CpG islands appears to be a potential way by which tumor suppressor genes are inactivated in cancer. Using Southern blot analysis, me have studied the methylation of several genes in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), trying to determine their contribution to tumorigenesis. Genes studied included the estrogen receptor (ER), N33, the candidate tumor-suppressors P15, P16 and HIC1 and a control gene, c-abl. Hypermethylation of N33, ER, HIC1, P16, P15 and c-abl were found in 61%, 59%, 60%, 5%, 2% and 0% of GBM respectively. HIC1 methylation was detected in normal brain as well, but appeared to be more extensive in tumors. ER and N33 methylation were significantly more frequent in tumors from individuals over the age of 40 (70% and 88% vs 36% and 14%). In addition, there was a strong association between ER and N33 methylation, which were concordant in 81% of the cases (P < 0.01). ER and N33 methylation in GBM may therefore appear as a result of shared etiologic factors, which may relate in part to aging cell populations in the brain.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3197-3202
Number of pages6
JournalOncogene
Volume16
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 18 1998

Keywords

  • Aging
  • DNA methylation
  • Estrogen receptor
  • Glioblastoma multiforme
  • N33

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

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