[Study on the methylation of p15 gene CpG islands in acute leukemia: using methylation-specific PCR method].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the feasibility of the methylation of p15 gene CpG islands as a common gene marker for all types of acute leukemias(AL).


METHODS
The methylation of p15 gene CpG islands in bone marrow from 40 cases of newly diagnosed or relapsed AL, 5 cases of AL in CR and 8 of normal subjects was analyzed by using methylation-specific PCR methods(MSP), and the product of MSP was sequenced.


RESULTS
p15 gene CpG islands were methylated in 80% (32/40) of the newly diagnosed or relapsed AL, no difference between AML and ALL was observed. One positive result was found in the 5 AL patients in CR and this patient soon relapsed. The bone marrow cells from 8 normal subjects did not have p15 gene CpG islands methylation, which suggested that such methylation was peculiar to AL cells. DNA sequencing confirmed the right expected sequence. The sensitivity of MSP was 10(-3).


CONCLUSIONS
The methylation of p15 gene CpG islands occurs very commonly in every types of AL. It can be used as a gene marker for ALs and for minimal residual disease in CR. MSP needs neither special methylation-sensitive restricted sites, nor high volume of DNA. There is no radioactive pollution, and the sample need not be fresh. MSP is a very sensitive, simple and specific method for the detection of DNA methylation.
Zhang
Y
Y
Department of Hematology, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853.
Lou
F
F
Yu
L
L
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002648:Child; D018899:CpG Islands / Q000235:genetics*; D050762:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p15; D019175:DNA Methylation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
C493966:CDKN2B protein, human; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D050762:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p15; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins