Epigenetic deregulation across chromosome 2q14.2 differentiates normal from prostate cancer and provides a regional panel of novel DNA methylation cancer biomarkers.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Previously, we showed that gene suppression commonly occurs across chromosome 2q14.2 in colorectal cancer, through a process of long-range epigenetic silencing (LRES), involving a combination of DNA methylation and repressive histone modifications. We now investigate whether LRES also occurs in prostate cancer across this 4-Mb region and whether differential DNA methylation of 2q14.2 genes could provide a regional panel of prostate cancer biomarkers.

METHODS:

We used highly sensitive DNA methylation headloop PCR assays that can detect 10 to 25 pg of methylated DNA with a specificity of at least 1:1,000, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays to investigate regional epigenetic remodeling across 2q14.2 in prostate cancer, in a cohort of 195 primary prostate tumors and 90 matched normal controls.

RESULTS:

Prostate cancer cells exhibit concordant deacetylation and methylation of histone H3 Lysine 9 (H3K9Ac and H3K9me2, respectively), and localized DNA hypermethylation of EN1, SCTR, and INHBB and corresponding loss of H3K27me3. EN1 and SCTR were frequently methylated (65% and 53%, respectively), whereas INHBB was less frequently methylated.

CONCLUSIONS:

Consistent with LRES in colorectal cancer, we found regional epigenetic remodeling across 2q14.2 in prostate cancer. Concordant methylation of EN1 and SCTR was able to differentiate cancer from normal (P < 0.0001) and improved the diagnostic specificity of GSTP1 methylation for prostate cancer detection by 26%.

IMPACT:

For the first time we show that DNA methylation of EN1 and SCTR promoters provide potential novel biomarkers for prostate cancer detection and in combination with GSTP1 methylation can add increased specificity and sensitivity to improve diagnostic potential.

• Authors: James Devaney, Clare Stirzaker, Wenjia Qu, Jenny Z Song, Aaron L Statham, Kate I Patterson, Lisa G Horvath, Bruce Tabor, Marcel W Coolen, Toby Hulf, James G Kench, Susan M Henshall, Ruth Pe Benito, Anne-Maree Haynes, Regina Mayor, Miguel A Peinado, Robert L Sutherland, Susan J Clark
• Journal: Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev) Vol. 20 Issue 1 Pg. 148-59 (Jan 2011) ISSN: 1538-7755 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21098650 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: ©2011 AACR.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• EN1 protein, human
• Homeodomain Proteins
• INHBB protein, human
• Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
• Receptors, Gastrointestinal Hormone
• secretin receptor
• Inhibin-beta Subunits
• GSTP1 protein, human
• Glutathione S-Transferase pi

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor (genetics)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
• Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2
• DNA Methylation
• Epigenesis, Genetic
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Genes, Tumor Suppressor
• Glutathione S-Transferase pi (genetics)
• Homeodomain Proteins (genetics)
• Humans
• Inhibin-beta Subunits (genetics)
• Male
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (methods)
• Prognosis
• Prostatic Neoplasms (diagnosis, genetics)
• Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled (genetics)
• Receptors, Gastrointestinal Hormone (genetics)
• Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization