FOXE1 is a target for aberrant methylation in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Several cancer-related genes are silenced by promoter hypermethylation in skin cancers. However, to date the somatic epigenetic events that occur in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tumorigenesis have not been well defined.


OBJECTIVE
To examine epigenetic abnormalities of FOXE1, a gene located on chromosome 9q22, a region frequently lost in SCC.


METHODS
We investigated the methylation status of FOXE1 in 60 cases of cutaneous SCC by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, and comparatively examined mRNA and protein expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively.


RESULTS
We found a higher frequency of FOXE1 promoter hypermethylation in SCCs (55%), as compared with the adjacent uninvolved skin (12%) and blood control samples (9.5%). FOXE1 methylation was frequently seen in association with a complete absence of or downregulated gene expression. Treatment with the demethylating agent 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine resulted in profound reactivation of FOXE1 expression.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that FOXE1 is a crucial player in development of cutaneous SCC.
Department of Surgical Specialities, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria G. Martino, Via Consolare Valeria, 1 (Gazzi) 98125, Messina, Italy.
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I
Venza
M
M
Visalli
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B
Tripodo
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De Grazia
S
S
Loddo
D
D
Teti
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Venza
D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001374:Azacitidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D000077209:Decitabine; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; C106894:FOXE1 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D000077209:Decitabine; D001374:Azacitidine