Hypermethylation of ribosomal DNA in human breast carcinoma.
We examined the methylation status of the transcribed domain of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) in 58 patients with breast cancer. The mean percent of methylation was significantly higher in breast tumours than that of normal control samples (P < 0.0001). This increased rDNA methylation was associated with oestrogen receptor non-expression (P < 0.0273) and with moderately or poorly differentiated tumours as compared to well differentiated tumours (P < 0.0475). Our results suggest that rDNA can be a useful marker for monitoring aberrant methylation during breast tumour progression.
Yan
P S
PS
Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri, Columbia 65203, USA.
Rodriguez
F J
FJ
Laux
D E
DE
Perry
M R
MR
Standiford
S B
SB
Huang
T H
TH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
D004275:DNA, Ribosomal