title: Expression and epigenetic regulation of DACT1 and DACT2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  DACT genes regulates Wnt as well TGF-β pathway, and were already associated with hepatocellular and lung cancer. Alterations on Wnt/β-catenin were associated with head and neck cancer through β-catenin cytoplasmatic accumulation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate DACT1 and DACT2 expression and methylation on oral squamous cell cancer (OSCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  47 samples of salivary rinse and tissue were collected from 29 OSCC and 18 control patients. qMSP and RT-PCR reactions were performed in order to detect hypermethylation and expression of DACT1 and DACT2 genes. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate these genes as possible biomarkers for OSCC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As expected man over 60 years old with tobacco and alcohol consumption history were associated with OSCC. There was no statistical difference between groups concerning DACT1 and DACT2 either in promoter hypermethylation or transcript levels. Age was associated with DACT2 promoter hypermethylation, especially over 56 years old.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients older than 56 years old were about 5 times more likely to have DACT2 promoter hypermethylation. These findings could partially explain why older subjects are more prone to carcinogenesis. Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays an important role in carcinogenesis, and the study of their regulators may help understand malignant transformation.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Biosciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Erasto Gaertner Cancer Hospital, Curitiba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana Lucena
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Schussel
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Biosciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana Puchalski
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Kalinke
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Erasto Gaertner Cancer Hospital, Curitiba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Laurindo Moacir
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Sassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Erasto Gaertner Cancer Hospital, Curitiba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Benedito Valdecir
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Erasto Gaertner Cancer Hospital, Curitiba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paola A G
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Pedruzzi
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Biosciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olandoski
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embriology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucia Elvira
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Alvares
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry of Bauru, Bauru, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo Pompermaier
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Garlet
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Biosciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paula Cristina
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Trevilatto
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D000367:Age Factors; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C491683:DACT1 protein, human; C478653:DACT2 protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins
keywords: DACT; Head and neck; hypermethylation; oral cancer