title: p16 promoter methylation in Pb2+ -exposed individuals.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. kovatsi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Leda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kovatsi
authors.forename: Kovatsi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leda
authors.forename: Elisavet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.forename: Georgiou
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Elisavet
authors.forename: Antrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ioannou
authors.forename: Ioannou
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Antrea
authors.forename: Costas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haitoglou
authors.forename: Haitoglou
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Costas
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tzimagiorgis
authors.forename: Tzimagiorgis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsoukali
authors.forename: Tsoukali
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Helen
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kouidou
authors.forename: Kouidou
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sofia
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D007854:Lead; D003596:Cytosine