[Detection of methylation of hMSH2 gene promoter region of esophageal cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To detect methylation in promoter region of hMSH2 gene in esophageal cancer.


METHODS
Specimens of cancer and normal tissues freshly removed from 32 cases of esophageal cancer patients without previous radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other treatment were preserved at -80 degrees C within 30 min. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to detect methylation of mismatch repair gene (MMR) hMSH2 in promoter region in esophageal cancer and normal esophageal tissues.


RESULTS
The frequencies of methylation of hMSH2 gene in promoter region of cancer and normal esophageal tissues were 32.4% (11/32) and 0/30 (0%), respectively, and significant difference was found between the two groups (P < 0.01). The frequency of methylation in elder patients (> or = 70 years old) was significantly higher than that in younger patients (< 70 years old) (P < 0.05). Methylation was less frequently found in grade I-II (18.2%) than in grade III-IV (70.0%) (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Methylation of hMSH2 gene in promoter region is related to patients' age and histopathological grade of the esophageal cancer.
Zhang
Gong-yuan
GY
Henan Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
Ma
Chun-xiao
CX
Liu
Qiu-liang
QL
Le
Xiao-ping
XP
Ding
Yi
Y
Zhang
Qin-xian
QX
D000368:Aged; D020137:Base Pair Mismatch; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051718:MutS Homolog 2 Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014162:Transfection
C497172:MSH2 protein, human; D051718:MutS Homolog 2 Protein