MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that repress their target mRNAs by complementary base pairing and induction of the RNA interference pathway. It has been shown that miRNA expression can be regulated by DNA methylation and it has been suggested that altered miRNA gene methylation might contribute to human tumorigenesis. In this study, we show that the human let-7a-3 gene on chromosome 22q13.31 is associated with a CpG island. Let-7a-3 belongs to the archetypal let-7 miRNA gene family and was found to be methylated by the DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3B. The gene was heavily methylated in normal human tissues but hypomethylated in some lung adenocarcinomas. Let-7a-3 hypomethylation facilitated epigenetic reactivation of the gene and elevated expression of let-7a-3 in a human lung cancer cell line resulted in enhanced tumor phenotypes and oncogenic changes in transcription profiles. Our results thus identify let-7a-3 as an epigenetically regulated miRNA gene with oncogenic function and suggest that aberrant miRNA gene methylation might contribute to the human cancer epigenome.
Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes is one of the most consistent hallmarks of human cancers. This epigenetic alteration has been associated with gene silencing and thus represents an important pathway for generating loss-of-function mutations. In this review, we survey the available literature on systematic, genome-wide approaches aimed at the identification of epigenetically silenced loci. These studies uncovered a variety of diverse genes, but a common signature for epigenetic reactivation has not been identified. Nevertheless, DNA methyltransferase inhibitors have shown significant clinical benefits, mostly in the therapy of leukemias. Recent analyses revealed substantial drug-induced methylation changes that can now be used as endpoints for the further refinement of clinical treatment schedules. Further optimization of epigenetic cancer therapies should be feasible through the use of novel DNA methyltransferase inhibitors with improved specificity. Rational design of epigenetic inhibitors might provide the foundation for a broader use of these drugs in the treatment of cancer.
Azanucleoside drugs such as 5-azacytidine (Vidaza) and 5-aza-2V -deoxycytidine (decitabine, Dacogen) function as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors in vitro and represent promising new drugs for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of decitabine on the genomic methylation level in MDS patients. Comparison of different assays established micellar electrokinetic chromatography as a reliable method for the analysis of genomic methylation levels. When used for the determination of DNA methylation levels in bone marrow DNA from MDS patients during various time points of decitabine treatment, the results revealed a significant (up to 70%) demethylation in five of seven patients. Interestingly, genome-wide demethylation appeared after karyotype normalization, which suggests demethylation of nonclonal cells. Druginduced demethylation dynamics were also confirmed by bisulfite sequencing of pericentromeric satellite elements. Our results are the first to show a genome-wide demethylating activity of decitabine in tumor material. In addition, our data uncovers novel targets of decitabine-mediated demethylation that are important for the refinement of treatment schedules with demethylating drugs. (Cancer Res 2005; 65(16): 7086-90)
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.