Possible Down Regulation of the p16 Gene Promoter in Individuals with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

authors:

avatar Oranous Bashti Shiraz 1 , * , avatar Hamid Galehdari 2 , avatar Majid Yavarian 3 , avatar Bita Geramizadeh 3

Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Chamran University, Orans_genetic@yahoo.com, IR Iran
1) Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Chamran University. 2) Cancer Research Center, Jondishapour Medical University, IR Iran
Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, IR Iran
Hepatitis Monthly: Vol.11, issue 9; 719-723
article type: Research Article
received: May 12, 2011
accepted: July 7, 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5812/kowsar.1735143X.732

how to cite: Shiraz O, Galehdari H, Yavarian M, Geramizadeh B. Possible Down Regulation of the p16 Gene Promoter in Individuals with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Hepat Mon. 2011;11(9): 719-723. https://doi.org/10.5812/kowsar.1735143X.732.

Abstract

Background: The p16 tumor suppressor gene is an important negative regulator of the cell cycle. Inactivation of p16, especially via promoter hypermethylation, has been found in numerous human cancers such as breast, lung, colorectal, and liver.
Objectives: To determine the role of epigenetic methylation in p16 regulation in Iranian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Patients and Methods: The methylation pattern in the p16 gene promoter was analyzed by bisulfite direct sequencing in 43 paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed tissues from patients with HCC. In addition, normal specimens from liver graft donors were used as the control group.
Results: The bisulfite direct sequencing showed heterozygous hypermethylation in 13.9% of individuals with HCC. Homozygous methylation within the GC-box IV was detected in another 58.1% of the patients.
Conclusions: It is proposed that methylation, but not necessarily hypermethylation, may play a role in the down-regulation of the p16 gene promoter at least in some Iranian patients with HCC.

  • Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
    Hypermethylation in the p16 promoter region has been reported to occur frequently in several human cancers such as HCC. We highly recommend biologists and Gastroenterologists to study this article.
    Please cite this paper as:
    Bashti Shiraz O, Galehdari H, Yavarian M, Geramizadeh B. Possible Down Regulation of the p16 Gene Promoter in Individuals with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Hepat Mon. 2011;11(9):719-23. DOI: 10.5812/kowsar.1735143X.732

©2011 Kowsar M.P.Co. All rights reserved.

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