Methylation-mediated silencing of genes is not altered by selenium treatment of prostate cancer cells.
BACKGROUND
The role of selenium in reducing the risk of multiple cancers has been described in the literature. Although reports have described the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic function of selenium by up-regulation of genes in these pathways, information is lacking on the target mechanisms of selenium on specific genes. This study examines whether selenium treatment alters the methylation status of epigenetically silenced genes in prostate cancer cells.


METHODS
Methylation of glutathione sulfotransferase pi (GSTP1) and Ras associated family 1A (RASSF1A) genes was studied using methylation sensitive PCR (MS-PCR). Gene expression was studied using Reverse Transcriptase PCR and Western Blotting.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of prostate cancer cells with selenium did not alter the expression of genes that were silenced by DNA methylation. Furthermore, the methylation status of these genes remained unaltered after treatment with seleno-DL-methionine.
Ramachandran
Kavitha
K
Miami VA Medical Center, Miami, Florida 33125, USA.
Navarro
Loida
L
Gordian
Edna
E
Das
Partha Manas
PM
Singal
Rakesh
R
D001374:Azacitidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077209:Decitabine; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000187:drug effects; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D045325:HCT116 Cells; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012645:Selenomethionine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018038:Sodium Selenite / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
C515497:IGFBP3 protein, human; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D000077209:Decitabine; D012645:Selenomethionine; C496556:GSTP1 protein, human; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi; D018038:Sodium Selenite; D001374:Azacitidine