title: SLIT2 is epigenetically silenced in ovarian cancers and suppresses growth when activated.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The SLIT2 gene is a novel tumor suppressor gene, whose hypermethylation has been detected in several malignances, including breast cancer, colorectal carcinoma and gliomas. In this study, we assessed the status of SLIT2 and its functions in ovarian cancers and cell lines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Methylation-specific PCR was used to investigate the methylated promoter of SLIT2; the functions of SLIT2 in ovarian cancer cells were measured by MTT, colony formation assay and flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SLIT2 promoter hypermethylation was detected in 56 of 66 (84.8%) ovarian cancer samples and downregulation of SLIT2 expression in 52 (78.8%). The decreased expression was significantly correlated with SLIT2 promoter hypermethylation (p<0.01). Moreover, reversed expression of SLIT2 suppressed cell growth, migration, colony formation abilities and induced more apoptosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that SLIT2 is a tumor suppressor in ovarian cancer, and may be a novel target for ovarian cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Wuxi, China. haifengqiu120@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Haifeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Jiezhi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Jinjin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pu
authors.forename: Ruofan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D001374:Azacitidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D019175:DNA Methylation; D057890:Epigenomics; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020868:Gene Silencing; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014945:Wound Healing; D000098552:Slit Homolog 2 Protein
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D004247:DNA; D001374:Azacitidine; D000098552:Slit Homolog 2 Protein