Promoter hypermethylation analysis of the tumor suppressor gene rassf1a in iranian endometrial carcinoma patients

Neda Jabbara,1,*

1. 1. MSc of Biology-Genetics, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Basic sciences, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan Branch,

Abstract


Introduction

Endometrial cancer is the most common malignancy among women in developed countries. more endometrial cancers occurs in women over the age of 50 years. aberrant dna methylation is best an epigenetic event in human is associated with several tumors. including cpg island methylation that play a critical role in the control of gene expression. in the present study, we investigated the methylation pattern in promoter region of rassf1a gene in endometrial cancer patients in iranian women, to identify correlations between promoter hyper-methylation, disease risk and clinicopathological parameters.

Methods

Blood and (n=26) and formalin fixed paraffin embedded (ffpe) samples (n=28) were collected from endometrial cancer patients and 22 healthy controls were studied. isolation of genomic dna from ffpe and peripheral blood was performed and methylation-specific pcr (msp) was applied for analysis the promoter cpg methylation status of rassf1a gene in the studied population.

Results

Methylation status between tissue and blood samples of rassf1a gene was not significant (p=0.49). our results indicated correlation between menopausal status with rassf1a promoter methylation.

Conclusion

In our study methylation of rassf1a gene is an important event in carcinogenesis of endometrial cancer. epigenetic alternations may have important role for early recognition and can be a molecular target for treatment. the results of this research could be useful for genetic counseling.

Keywords

Endometrial cancer, msp, rassf1a