Tissue-specific hypomethylation of the human c-K-ras gene.
Methylation of the c-K-ras gene was examined in a wide variety of human tissues using the methylation sensitive restriction endonuclease HpaII. All tissues showed hypomethylation in the region of exon zero. Specific hypomethylation of a particular HpaII site in the second intron was observed in gastrointestinal and tracheobronchial epithelial cell DNAs. Specific hypomethylation was also observed in a cluster of HpaII sites within the first intron in sperm, endometrium and placenta DNAs. These regions were predominantly methylated in a wide variety of other tissues, including fetal gut. The possible implications are discussed.
Metter
J
J
Department of Pathology, University of Texas, Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284.
Cho
C
C
D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D015342:DNA Probes; D019003:Deoxyribonuclease HpaII; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D006801:Humans; D008745:Methylation; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D011519:Proto-Oncogenes
D015342:DNA Probes; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D004247:DNA; D019003:Deoxyribonuclease HpaII; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; C501009:HRAS protein, human; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)