Role of DNA methylation in miR-200c/141 cluster silencing in invasive breast cancer cells
2010

DNA Methylation and miR-200c/141 in Breast Cancer

Sample size: 8 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Neves Rui, Scheel Christina, Weinhold Sandra, Honisch Ellen, Iwaniuk Katharina M, Trompeter Hans-Ingo, Niederacher Dieter, Wernet Peter, Santourlidis Simeon, Uhrberg Markus

Primary Institution: Institute for Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, University Clinic Düsseldorf

Hypothesis

How does DNA methylation regulate the expression of the miR-200c/141 cluster in invasive breast cancer cells?

Conclusion

The study shows that DNA methylation regulates the expression of the miR-200c/141 cluster, which may play a role in cancer progression.

Supporting Evidence

  • The miR-200c/141 cluster is repressed by DNA methylation.
  • Treatment with a demethylating agent reactivated transcription in breast cancer cells.
  • DNA methylation correlated with invasive capacity in breast cancer cell lines.
  • Induction of EMT was associated with increased DNA methylation of the miR-200c/141 locus.

Takeaway

This study found that a process called DNA methylation can turn off certain genes that help prevent cancer cells from spreading.

Methodology

The study used in vitro experiments with breast cancer cell lines to analyze the effects of DNA methylation on miR-200c/141 expression.

Limitations

The study does not determine the initial triggers for DNA methylation changes during the epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

Participant Demographics

The study involved various breast cancer cell lines with different phenotypes.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1756-0500-3-219

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