[Promoter methylation of DAPK gene in cervical carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
Aberrant DNA methylation plays important roles during multistage carcinogenesis in various human organs. This study was to explore the relationship between the promoter methylation and inactivation of DAPK gene in cervical cancer.


METHODS
The promoter methylation of DAPK was investigated with methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) in 52 specimens of cervical cancer, 60 specimens of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 20 specimens of normal cervical squamous epithelial tissues. Its correlation to clinicopathologic features of cervical cancer was analyzed. The protein expression of DAPK was detected by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The methylation rate of DAPK gene promoter was significantly higher in cervical cancer tissues than in CIN (65.4% vs. 18.3%, P<0.05); while no methylation of DAPK gene was found in normal cervical tissues. The methylation rate of DAPK gene was significantly higher in cervical squamous cell carcinomas than in adenocarcinomas (80.0% vs. 16.7%, P<0.001). Promoter methylation of DAPK was negatively correlated to its protein expression (r=-0.849, P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The promoter methylation may lead to inactivation of DAPK gene, and may be related with tumorigenesis of cervical cancer.
Zhao
Xian-Lan
XL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, PR China.
Meng
Zhi-Ying
ZY
Qiao
Yu-Huan
YH
Zhang
Hui-Li
HL
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019175:DNA Methylation; D064550:Death-Associated Protein Kinases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D064550:Death-Associated Protein Kinases; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases