DNA hypermethylation at the D17S5 locus is not a frequent event in human urothelial cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the DNA methylation status and the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the D17S5 locus (17p13.3) in urothelial cancer.


METHODS
DNA methylation was assayed and LOH analysed by Southern blotting in a series of 33 transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder and renal pelvis.


RESULTS
DNA hypermethylation and LOH at the D17S5 locus were detected in six (18%) and 17 (52%) of the tumours, respectively. The six cases with DNA hypermethylation were of the papillary type, and four also had LOH at this locus.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to other epithelial tumours, DNA hypermethylation at the D17S5 locus is not a frequent event in human urothelial cancer.
Institut de Biologia Fonamental, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. marta@hsd.es
M
M
Bernués
C
C
Casadevall
M R
MR
Caballín
J
J
Egozcue
R
R
Miró
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity / Q000235:genetics; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*