Immunolocalization of DNMT1 and DNMT3a in salivary gland neoplasms.
OBJECTIVE
Salivary gland neoplasms pathogenesis has not been well established. DNA methylation occurs when methyl groups are added to cytosine nucleotides in specific areas of the gene by the enzyme DNA methyltransferase (DNMT). This chemical modification can alter gene expression without altering DNA sequence. While DNMT3a is mostly involved in de novo methylation, DNMT1 acts as a maintenance methyltransferase. We aimed to investigate the immunoexpression of DNMT3a and DNMT1 in minor salivary gland neoplasms, comparing it with normal tissue.


METHODS
Forty-four formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples of pleomorphic adenoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma were included in the study. The DNMT1 and DNMT3a proteins were identified by using a highly sensitive polymer-based system.


RESULTS
Positive nuclear and cytoplasmic labeling for DNMT1 was observed in all samples, including the controls. Positive nuclear labeling for DNMT3a was found only in few neoplasms: 1 pleomorphic adenoma (9.0%), 2 adenoid cystic carcinoma (16.6%) and 1 mucoepidermoid (9.0%) cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results were not able to demonstrate a clear correlation between DNMT1 and DNMT3a immunoexpression and salivary gland neoplasms development.
Cavaliéri Gomes
Carolina
C
School of Dentistry, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
da Silveira e Oliveira
Carla
C
Santos Pimenta
Luiz Gustavo Garcia
LG
De Marco
Luiz
L
Santiago Gomez
Ricardo
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D000076123:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D000090205:DNA Methyltransferase 3A; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C000717967:DNMT3A protein, human; D000076123:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases; D000090205:DNA Methyltransferase 3A; C000619380:DNMT1 protein, human