Elevated DNA Methyltransferases 3 Expression Correlates with HPV Infection in Lung Cancer

Background and purpose: Aberrant hypermethylation in the CpG-rich promoter region of tumor suppressor genes such as p16, DAPK, GSTP1, MGMT is associated with the lack of gene transcription and hence, contributes to the formation and progression of lung cancer. In this study, we investigated the association of DNA Methyltransferases 1 (DNMT1) and DNA Methyltransferases 3b (DNMT3b), with lung tumorigenesis. Methods: DNMT1 and DNMT3b protein content in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, including 42 with adenocarcinomas and 42 with squamous cell lung cancer, were examined by immunohistochemistry. Nested-PCR was used to detect human papillomavirus (HPVs) infection. Results: DNMT1 and DNMT3b immunoreactivity was detected in 35.5% (29/84) and 52.4% (44/84), respectively, of NSCLC patients. Decreased DNMT3b protein expression correlated significantly with poor survival (P = 0.026). DNMT3b protein expression was associated with HPV 16/18 infection (P = 0.008). Conclusion: These results suggest that the involvement of HPV infection in tumorigenesis of lung cancer in Taiwan may be associated in part with DNMT3b overexpression.

並列關鍵字

DNA methyltransferase 3 ； human papillomavirus ； lung cancer

國際替代計量

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