p16 promoter methylation in Pb2+ -exposed individuals.
BACKGROUND
One of the principle symptoms of lead poisoning is the development of neurological disorders. Neuronal response is closely related to DNA methylation changes. Aim. In this study, we estimated p16 methylation in nine individuals exposed to lead using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction followed by analysis of the methylated cytosine content of the product by thermal denaturation.


RESULTS
We found that, based on lead blood concentration, lead-exposed individuals were divided into two groups. Among highly exposed individuals (blood Pb(2+) concentration = 51-100 microg/dL), we observed complete CpG methylation, whereas for low Pb(2+) concentrations (blood Pb(2+) concentration = 6-11 microg/dL), we observed partial methylation.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that among lead-overexposed individuals, p16 methylation is frequent and extensive, and suggest that DNA methylation could be involved in the mechanism by which lead induces neurotoxicity.
Kovatsi
Leda
L
Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. kovatsi@hotmail.com
Leda
Kovatsi
K
Georgiou
Elisavet
E
Elisavet
Georgiou
G
Ioannou
Antrea
A
Antrea
Ioannou
I
Haitoglou
Costas
C
Costas
Haitoglou
H
Tzimagiorgis
George
G
George
Tzimagiorgis
T
Tsoukali
Helen
H
Helen
Tsoukali
T
Kouidou
Sofia
S
Sofia
Kouidou
K
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018899:CpG Islands / Q000187:drug effects; D003596:Cytosine / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D019942:Genes, p16 / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity; D020265:Lead Poisoning, Nervous System, Adult / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
D007854:Lead; D003596:Cytosine