[Analysis of methylation and loss of heterozygosity of RUNX3 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance].
OBJECTIVE
In order to elucidate role of RUNX3 gene in hepatocarcinogenesis, we detected genetic and epigenetic alteration of RUNX3 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
PCR-SSCP, analysis of loss of heterozygosity (LOH), sequencing and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) were used to detect mutation, LOH and DNA methylation of RUNX3 gene in 90 HCCs.


RESULTS
No mutation was found, but three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were found and distributed over exon1 and exon4. 30.6% (11/36) of cases showed LOH; 54.4% (49/90) of cases was in hypermethylation. There is a significant correlation between LOH and major portal vein invasive or micro vessel invasion or intrahepatic metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
High frequent hypermethylation and LOH of RUNX3 gene were found in HCC. Aberrant RUNX3 gene may play an important role in the development of HCC.
Xiao
Wen-hua
WH
Department of Oncology, 304 Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100037, China.
Liu
Wei-wen
WW
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics*; D050677:Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
D050677:Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C493729:Runx3 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors