Methylation of the HACE1 gene is frequently detected in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

Recently, it has been reported that HACE1, the E3 ubiquitin ligase, is epigenetically inactivated in human Wilms' tumors and HACE 1 expression was also down-regulated in colorectal and gastric carcinomas.

METHODOLOGY:

In this study, methylation status of the HACE1 gene was examined in primary carcinomas and the corresponding normal tissues derived from 27 patients with HCC using quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP).

RESULTS:

Methylation of the HACE1 gene was detected in 18 out of the 27 (67%) HCCs, suggesting that the methylation of HACE1 was frequently observed in HCC. The clinicopathological data were then correlated with these results. In the value of serum AFP (α-fetoprotein), a significant difference was observed (p=0.0025).

CONCLUSIONS:

All stages of HCCs presented HACE1 methylation, indicating that the HACE1 gene has been methylated from the early stages of HCCs.

• Authors: Makiko Sakata, Kazuaki Yokomizo, Yohei Kitamura, Kazuma Sakuraba, Atsushi Shirahata, Tetsuhiro Goto, Hiroki Mizukami, Mitsuo Saito, Kazuyoshi Ishibashi, Gaku Kigawa, Hiroshi Nemoto, Kenji Hibi
• Journal: Hepato-gastroenterology (Hepatogastroenterology) Vol. 60 Issue 124 Pg. 781-3 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 0172-6390 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 23732777 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• HACE1 protein, human
• Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Topics

• Aged
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (genetics)
• DNA Methylation
• Female
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (genetics)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases (genetics)