Work

DNA methylation and genetic instability in colorectal cancer cells

Year: 1997

Type: article

Abstract: Apparent alterations in DNA methylation have been observed in many cancers, but whether such alterations represent a persistent alteration in the normal methylation process is not known. In this study, we report a striking difference in the expression of exogenously introduced retroviral genes in various colorectal cancer cell lines. Extinguished expression was associated with DNA methylation and could be reversed by treatment with the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine. A striking correlation between genetic instability and methylation capacity suggested that methylation abnormalities may play a role in chromosome segregation processes in cancer cells.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.94.6.2545

Authors: Christoph Lengauer, Kenneth W. Kinzler, Bert Vogelstein

Institutions: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Johns Hopkins University

Language: English

Topic: Epigenetics and DNA Methylation

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Cancer Institute