[Methylation and expression of the p16 gene in endometrial carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the relationship between methylation status of the 5' CpG island and mRNA expression of the p16 gene in endometrial carcinoma.


METHODS
Methylation status of p16 gene was determined by methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes, PCR and p16 mRNA expression was evaluated by RT-PCR in a series of 8 specimens with normal endometrium(NE), 6 with simple and complex hyperplasia(SCH), 6 with atypical hyperplasia (AH) and 38 with endometrial carcinoma(EC).


RESULTS
Eight specimens of NE displayed no methylation and showed normal expression of the p16 mRNA. In 1 of the 6 AH and 13 of the 38(34.21%) EC, there was methylation of p16 exon 1; 5 of the 6 SCH showed overexpression of p16 mRNA, 4 of the 6 AH and 27 of the 38 (71.05%) EC exhibited decrease or loss of p16 mRNA expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypermethylation of p16 gene is an early event of endometrial carcinogenesis and is associated with the progression of endometrial carcinoma. Hypermethylation is highly correlated with inhibition of p16 gene transcription.
Chao
H
H
Cancer Institute (Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
Sun
J
J
Lu
S
S
D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis
D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D005819:Genetic Markers; D012333:RNA, Messenger