title: Epigenetic inactivation of the RASSF1A tumour suppressor gene in ependymoma.
abstract: To investigate the role of aberrant epigenetic events in ependymoma and identify critical genes in its pathogenesis, the methylation status of nine tumour suppressor genes (TSGs: p14(ARF), p15(INK4B), p16(INK4A), CASP8, MGMT, TIMP3, TP73, RB1 and RASSF1A) was assessed. Extensive hypermethylation across the RASSF1A CpG island was detected frequently in ependymomas of all clinical and pathological disease subtypes (86% of cases, n=35), but not in non-neoplastic brain tissues (n=6). Less frequent methylation was observed for CASP8, MGMT and TP73 (5-20%). The remaining TSGs showed no evidence of methylation. RASSF1A hypermethylation represents the most common gene-specific defect identified in ependymoma highlighting the importance of its further investigation in this disease.
authors.affiliation: Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Paul O'Gorman Building, The Medical School, University of Newcastle, Framlington Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 4HH, UK.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Meryl E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lusher
authors.forename: Janet C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lindsey
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Ellison
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Clifford
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018899:CpG Islands; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000235:genetics*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C411762:RASSF1 protein, human; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins