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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Liz Williams, David Bradburn, Professor John Mathers
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Hypermethylation of cytosine residues in the CpG islands of tumor suppressor genes is a key mechanism of colorectal carcinogenesis. Detection and quantification of CpG island methylation in human DNA isolated from stools might provide a novel strategy for the detection and investigation of colorectal neoplasia. To explore the feasibility of this approach, colorectal biopsies and fecal samples were obtained from 32 patients attending for colonoscopy or surgery, who were found to have adenomatous polyps, colorectal cancer, or no evidence of neoplasia. A further 18 fecal samples were obtained from healthy volunteers, with no bowel symptoms. Isolated DNA was modified with sodium bisulfite and analyzed by methylation-specific PCR and combined bisulfite restriction analysis for CpG island methylation of ESR1, MGMT, HPP1, p16 INK4α, APC, and MLH1. CpG island methylation was readily detectable in both mucosal and fecal DNA with methylation-specific PCR. Using combined bisulfite restriction analysis, it was established that, in volunteers from whom biopsies were available, the levels of methylation at two CpG sites within ESR1 assayed using fecal DNA were significantly correlated with methylation in DNA from colorectal mucosa. Thus, noninvasive techniques can be used to obtain quantitative information about the level of CpG island methylation in human colorectal mucosa. The methods described here could be applied to a much expanded range of genes and may be valuable both for screening purposes and to provide greater insight into the functional consequences of epigenetic changes in the colorectal mucosa of free-living individuals.
Author(s): Belshaw NJ, Elliott GO, Williams EA, Bradbum DM, Mills SJ, Mathers JC, Johnson IT
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention
Year: 2004
Volume: 13
Issue: 9
Pages: 1495-1501
ISSN (print): 1055-9965
ISSN (electronic): 1538-7755
Publisher: American Association for Cancer Research
URL: http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/13/9/1495.abstract
PubMed id: 15342451
