Hypomethylation of c-myc and epidermal growth factor receptor genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma and fetal liver.
The methylation state of cellular oncogenes (c-oncs) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor gene from human liver tissues was examined by means of restriction endonuclease analysis. c-myc and EGF receptor gene from hepatocellular carcinoma and fetal liver were substantially hypomethylated in comparison with those genes from normal liver, while the extents of methylation of c-mos and c-Ki-ras genes were the same among these tissues. It can be speculated that the specific hypomethylation of c-myc and EGF receptor genes may be associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics*; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005796:Genes; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000196:embryology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D008745:Methylation; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics*
D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D066246:ErbB Receptors