title: Methylation of the hMLH1 promoter in familial gastric cancer with microsatellite instability.
abstract: Microsatellite instability (MSI), which is recognized as an important mechanism in tumorigenesis, has been reported in familial gastric cancers (FGC). However, genetic defects responsible for this phenotype, that is, mutations in mismatch-repair genes such as hMLH1 and hMSH2, have not been detected in most FGC cases. Earlier studies have shown that the promoter region of the hMLH1 gene was methylated in some sporadic colorectal and endometrial cancers. To determine how FGC acquire MSI, we examined the MSI status, hMLH1-protein expression and methylation status of the hMLH1-promoter region in FGC cases. Out of 9 cancers, 6 from 8 FGC kindreds showed MSI at one or more loci; no germline mutations in the hMLH1 or hMSH2 genes were detected; 4 cancers exhibiting MSI displayed aberrant hMLH1 expression: complete loss in one, decreased level in another, and partially staining pattern in the remaining 2. Methylation in the hMLH1-promoter region was found in these 4 cases. In contrast, the cancers displaying hMLH1-protein expression were not methylated in the hMLH1-promoter region. Our data show a significant association between the absence of hMLH1 expression and methylation of its promoter in FGC cases with MSI. This suggests that the mechanism of inactivation of hMLH1 is epigenetic and that there are other genes responsible for FGC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Oncology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yanagisawa
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iida
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nomizu
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sugihara
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yuasa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maruyama
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D000070957:MutL Protein Homolog 1; D051718:MutS Homolog 2 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C501486:MLH1 protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C497172:MSH2 protein, human; D000070957:MutL Protein Homolog 1; D051718:MutS Homolog 2 Protein