Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease 6/2007

01-06-2007 | Original Article

Expression of human DNA methyltransferase 1 in colorectal cancer tissues and their corresponding distant normal tissues

Authors: Yi-Min Zhu, Qiong Huang, Jie Lin, Yu Hu, Jian Chen, Mao-De Lai

Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease | Issue 6/2007

Login to get access

Abstract

Background and aim

DNA methylation plays an important role during colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is responsible for maintaining DNA methylation. We addressed the significance of DNMT1 expression in CRC.

Materials and methods

We measured the expression of DNMT1 in CRC tissues and in their corresponding distal normal colorectal mucosa using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis.

Results

The mean ± SD of DNMT1 mRNA in CRC tissues was 1.04 ± 0.36, which was significantly higher than that in their corresponding distal normal colorectal mucosa (0.58 ± 0.44, P < 0.05). Fifty-eight out of 77 (75.3%) CRC tissues and only 30 out of 77 (39%) corresponding distant normal colorectal mucosa showed immunoreactivity (P < 0.001). We also found that the immunoreactivity of DNMT1 was higher in mucosa adjacent to cancer than in corresponding normal colorectal mucosa; high immunoreactivity was significantly correlated with poor differentiation in CRC tissues (P = 0.008). No significant associations were found between DNMT1 immunoreactivity and the following variables: age, sex, locations of cancer, Duke’s phase, and the presence of lymph-node metastasis.

Conclusion

These findings suggested that DNMT1 was associated with the malignant phenotype, and dysregulation of DNMT1 expression was present in tumor cells of CRC.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Jones PA, Baylin SB (2002) The fundamental role of epigenetic events in cancer. Nat Rev Genet 3:415–428PubMedCrossRef Jones PA, Baylin SB (2002) The fundamental role of epigenetic events in cancer. Nat Rev Genet 3:415–428PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Kanai Y, Ushijima S, Tsuda H, Sakamoto M, Hirohashi S (2000) Aberrant DNA methylation precedes loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 16 in chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Cancer Lett 148:73–80PubMedCrossRef Kanai Y, Ushijima S, Tsuda H, Sakamoto M, Hirohashi S (2000) Aberrant DNA methylation precedes loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 16 in chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Cancer Lett 148:73–80PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Kondo Y, Kanai Y, Sakamoto M, Mizokami M, Ueda R, Hirohashi S (2000) Genetic instability and aberrant DNA methylation in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis—a comprehensive study of loss of heterozygosity and microsatellite instability at 39 loci and DNA hypermethylation on 8 CpG islands in microdissected specimens from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 32:970–979PubMedCrossRef Kondo Y, Kanai Y, Sakamoto M, Mizokami M, Ueda R, Hirohashi S (2000) Genetic instability and aberrant DNA methylation in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis—a comprehensive study of loss of heterozygosity and microsatellite instability at 39 loci and DNA hypermethylation on 8 CpG islands in microdissected specimens from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 32:970–979PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Ueki T, Toyota M, Sohn T, Yeo CJ, Issa JP, Hruban RH, Goggins M (2000) Hypermethylation of multiple genes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res 60:1835–1839PubMed Ueki T, Toyota M, Sohn T, Yeo CJ, Issa JP, Hruban RH, Goggins M (2000) Hypermethylation of multiple genes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res 60:1835–1839PubMed
6.
go back to reference Shen JC, Rideout WM, Jones PA (1992) High frequency mutagenesis by a DNA methyltransferase. Cell 71:1073–1080PubMedCrossRef Shen JC, Rideout WM, Jones PA (1992) High frequency mutagenesis by a DNA methyltransferase. Cell 71:1073–1080PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Chen RZ, Pettersson U, Beard C, Jackson-Grusby L, Jaenisch R (1998) DNA hypomethylation leads to elevated mutation rates. Nature 54:89–93 Chen RZ, Pettersson U, Beard C, Jackson-Grusby L, Jaenisch R (1998) DNA hypomethylation leads to elevated mutation rates. Nature 54:89–93
9.
go back to reference Zhang J, Lai MD, Chen J (1999) Methylation status of p16 gene in colorectal carcinoma and normal colorectal mucosa. World J Gastroenterol 5:451–454PubMed Zhang J, Lai MD, Chen J (1999) Methylation status of p16 gene in colorectal carcinoma and normal colorectal mucosa. World J Gastroenterol 5:451–454PubMed
10.
go back to reference Zhu YM, Lin J, Huang Q, Lai MD (2003) Screening the differentially methylated DNA sequences of colorectal cancer by methylated CpG islands amplification coupled with representational difference analysis. Chin J Med Genet 20:425–429 Zhu YM, Lin J, Huang Q, Lai MD (2003) Screening the differentially methylated DNA sequences of colorectal cancer by methylated CpG islands amplification coupled with representational difference analysis. Chin J Med Genet 20:425–429
11.
go back to reference Yen RW, Vertino PM, Nelkin BD, Yu JJ, El-Deiry W, Cumaraswamy A et al (1999) Isolation and characterization of the cDNA encoding human DNA methyltransferase. Nucleic Acids Res 59:5438–5442 Yen RW, Vertino PM, Nelkin BD, Yu JJ, El-Deiry W, Cumaraswamy A et al (1999) Isolation and characterization of the cDNA encoding human DNA methyltransferase. Nucleic Acids Res 59:5438–5442
12.
go back to reference Leonhardt H, Page AW, Weier H (1992) A targeting sequence directs DNA methyltransferase to sites of DNA replication in mammalian nuclei. Cell 71:865–873PubMedCrossRef Leonhardt H, Page AW, Weier H (1992) A targeting sequence directs DNA methyltransferase to sites of DNA replication in mammalian nuclei. Cell 71:865–873PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Pradhan S, Bacolla A, Wells RD, Roberts RJ (1999) Recombinant human DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferase. I. Expression, purification, and comparison of de novo and maintenance methylation. J Biol Chem 274:33002–33010PubMedCrossRef Pradhan S, Bacolla A, Wells RD, Roberts RJ (1999) Recombinant human DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferase. I. Expression, purification, and comparison of de novo and maintenance methylation. J Biol Chem 274:33002–33010PubMedCrossRef
14.
15.
go back to reference Issa JP, Vertino PM, Wu J, Sazawal S, Celano P, Nelkin BD et al (1993) Increased cytosine DNA-methyltransferase activity during colon cancer progression. J Natl Cancer Inst 85:1235–1240PubMedCrossRef Issa JP, Vertino PM, Wu J, Sazawal S, Celano P, Nelkin BD et al (1993) Increased cytosine DNA-methyltransferase activity during colon cancer progression. J Natl Cancer Inst 85:1235–1240PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Sun L, Hui AM, Kanai Y, Sakamoto M, Hirohashi S (1997) Increased DNA methyltransferase expression is associated with an early stage of human hepatocarcinogenesis. Jpn J Cancer Res 88:1165–1170PubMed Sun L, Hui AM, Kanai Y, Sakamoto M, Hirohashi S (1997) Increased DNA methyltransferase expression is associated with an early stage of human hepatocarcinogenesis. Jpn J Cancer Res 88:1165–1170PubMed
17.
go back to reference Saito Y, Kanai Y, Sakamoto M, Saito H, Ishii H, Hirohashi S (2001) Expression of mRNA for DNA methyltransferases and methyl-CpG-binding proteins and DNA methylation status on CpG islands and pericentromeric satellite regions during human hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatology 33:561–568PubMedCrossRef Saito Y, Kanai Y, Sakamoto M, Saito H, Ishii H, Hirohashi S (2001) Expression of mRNA for DNA methyltransferases and methyl-CpG-binding proteins and DNA methylation status on CpG islands and pericentromeric satellite regions during human hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatology 33:561–568PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Kanai Y, Ushijima S, Kondo Y, Nakanishi Y, Hirohashi S (2001) DNA methyltransferase expression and DNA methylation of CpG islands and pericentromeric satellite regions in human colorectal and stomach cancers. Int J Cancer 91:205–212PubMedCrossRef Kanai Y, Ushijima S, Kondo Y, Nakanishi Y, Hirohashi S (2001) DNA methyltransferase expression and DNA methylation of CpG islands and pericentromeric satellite regions in human colorectal and stomach cancers. Int J Cancer 91:205–212PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Eads CA, Danenberg KD, Kawakami K, Saltz LB, Danenberg PV, Laird PW (1999) CpG island hypermethylation in human colorectal tumors is not associated with DNA methyltransferase overexpression. Cancer Res 59:2302–2306PubMed Eads CA, Danenberg KD, Kawakami K, Saltz LB, Danenberg PV, Laird PW (1999) CpG island hypermethylation in human colorectal tumors is not associated with DNA methyltransferase overexpression. Cancer Res 59:2302–2306PubMed
20.
go back to reference Paz MF, Wei S, Cigudosa JC, Rodriguez-Perales S, Peinado MA, Huang TH, Esteller M (2003) Genetic unmasking of epigenetically silenced tumor suppressor genes in colon cancer cells deficient in DNA methyltransferases. Hum Mol Genet 12:2209–2219PubMedCrossRef Paz MF, Wei S, Cigudosa JC, Rodriguez-Perales S, Peinado MA, Huang TH, Esteller M (2003) Genetic unmasking of epigenetically silenced tumor suppressor genes in colon cancer cells deficient in DNA methyltransferases. Hum Mol Genet 12:2209–2219PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference De Marzo AM, Marchi VL, Yang ES, Veeraswamy R, Lin X, Nelson WG (1999) Abnormal regulation of DNA methyltransferase expression during colorectal. Carcinogenesis. Cancer Res 59:3855–3860PubMed De Marzo AM, Marchi VL, Yang ES, Veeraswamy R, Lin X, Nelson WG (1999) Abnormal regulation of DNA methyltransferase expression during colorectal. Carcinogenesis. Cancer Res 59:3855–3860PubMed
22.
go back to reference Choi MS, Shim YH, Hwa JY, Lee SK, Ro JY, Kim JS et al (2003) Expression of DNA methyltransferases in multistep hepatocarcinogenesis. Hum Pathol 34:11–17PubMedCrossRef Choi MS, Shim YH, Hwa JY, Lee SK, Ro JY, Kim JS et al (2003) Expression of DNA methyltransferases in multistep hepatocarcinogenesis. Hum Pathol 34:11–17PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Peng DF, Kanai Y, Sawada M, Ushijima S, Hiraoka N, Kosuge T et al (2005) Increased DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) protein expression in precancerous conditions and ductal carcinomas of the pancreas. Cancer Sci 96:403–408PubMedCrossRef Peng DF, Kanai Y, Sawada M, Ushijima S, Hiraoka N, Kosuge T et al (2005) Increased DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) protein expression in precancerous conditions and ductal carcinomas of the pancreas. Cancer Sci 96:403–408PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Nakagawa T, Kanai Y, Saito Y, Kitamura T, Kakizoe T, Hirohashi S (2003) Increased DNA methyltransferase 1 protein expression in human transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. J Urol 170:2463–2466PubMedCrossRef Nakagawa T, Kanai Y, Saito Y, Kitamura T, Kakizoe T, Hirohashi S (2003) Increased DNA methyltransferase 1 protein expression in human transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. J Urol 170:2463–2466PubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Etoh T, Kanai Y, Ushijima S, Nakagawa T, Nakanishi Y, Sasako M et al (2004) Increased DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) protein expression correlates significantly with poorer tumor differentiation and frequent DNA hypermethylation of multiple CpG islands in gastric cancers. Am J Pathol 164:689–699PubMed Etoh T, Kanai Y, Ushijima S, Nakagawa T, Nakanishi Y, Sasako M et al (2004) Increased DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) protein expression correlates significantly with poorer tumor differentiation and frequent DNA hypermethylation of multiple CpG islands in gastric cancers. Am J Pathol 164:689–699PubMed
26.
go back to reference Saito Y, Kanai Y, Nakagawa T, Sakamoto M, Saito H, Ishii H, Hirohashi S (2003) Increased protein expression of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 1 is significantly correlated with the malignant potential and poor prognosis of human hepatocellular carcinomas. Int J Cancer 105(4):527–532PubMedCrossRef Saito Y, Kanai Y, Nakagawa T, Sakamoto M, Saito H, Ishii H, Hirohashi S (2003) Increased protein expression of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 1 is significantly correlated with the malignant potential and poor prognosis of human hepatocellular carcinomas. Int J Cancer 105(4):527–532PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference Esteller M (2002) CpG island hypermethylation and tumor suppressor genes: a booming present, a brighter future. Oncogene 21:5427–5440PubMedCrossRef Esteller M (2002) CpG island hypermethylation and tumor suppressor genes: a booming present, a brighter future. Oncogene 21:5427–5440PubMedCrossRef
28.
go back to reference Wu J, Herman JG, Wilson G, Lee RY, Yen RW, Mabry M et al (1996) Expression of prokaryotic Hha I DNA methyltransferase is transforming and lethal to NIH 3T3 cells. Cancer Res 56:616–622PubMed Wu J, Herman JG, Wilson G, Lee RY, Yen RW, Mabry M et al (1996) Expression of prokaryotic Hha I DNA methyltransferase is transforming and lethal to NIH 3T3 cells. Cancer Res 56:616–622PubMed
30.
go back to reference Ting AH, Jair K, Suzuki H, Yen RC, Baylin SB, Schuebel KE (2004) Mammalian DNA methyltransferase 1: inspiration for new directions. Cell Cycle 3:1024–1026PubMed Ting AH, Jair K, Suzuki H, Yen RC, Baylin SB, Schuebel KE (2004) Mammalian DNA methyltransferase 1: inspiration for new directions. Cell Cycle 3:1024–1026PubMed
31.
go back to reference Rhee I, Jair KW, Lengauer C, Herman JG, Kinzler KW, Vogelstein B (2000) CpG methylation is maintained in human cancer cells lacking DNMT1. Nature 404:1003–1007PubMedCrossRef Rhee I, Jair KW, Lengauer C, Herman JG, Kinzler KW, Vogelstein B (2000) CpG methylation is maintained in human cancer cells lacking DNMT1. Nature 404:1003–1007PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Expression of human DNA methyltransferase 1 in colorectal cancer tissues and their corresponding distant normal tissues
Authors
Yi-Min Zhu
Qiong Huang
Jie Lin
Yu Hu
Jian Chen
Mao-De Lai
Publication date
01-06-2007
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Journal of Colorectal Disease / Issue 6/2007
Print ISSN: 0179-1958
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1262
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-006-0224-4

Other articles of this Issue 6/2007

International Journal of Colorectal Disease 6/2007 Go to the issue