DNA methylation regulates constitutive expression of Stat6 regulatory genes SOCS-1 and SHP-1 in colon cancer cells.

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Xu SB, Liu XH, Li BH, Zhang Y, Yuan J, Yuan Q, Li PD, Yang XZ, Li F, Zhang WJ

DNA methylation regulates constitutive expression of Stat6 regulatory genes SOCS-1 and SHP-1 in colon cancer cells.

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2009 Dec;135(12):1791-8. doi: 10.1007/s00432-009-0627-z. Epub 2009 Jun 24.

PubMed ID

19551406 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

PURPOSE: Stat6 signaling is active in cancer cells and IL-4-induced Stat6 activities or Stat6 activational phenotypes vary among cancer cells. This study aimed at investigating possible mechanism(s) involved in the formation of varying Stat6 activities/phenotypes. METHODS: Stat6 regulatory genes, SOCS-1 and SHP-1, were examined for mRNA expression using RT-PCR, and their promoter DNA methylation was assayed by methylation-specific PCR in Stat6-phenotyped colon cancer cell lines. DNA methylation was then verified by sequencing. RT-PCR assay and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of SOCS-1 and SHP-1 after demethylation using 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. RESULTS: Compared with Stat6(null) Caco-2 cells, Stat6(high) HT-29 cells showed decreased constitutive expression of SOCS-1 and SHP-1, which correlated with DNA hypermethylation in these genes' promoters. Interestingly, demethylation in HT-29 cells recovered the constitutive expression of SOCS-1 and SHP-1. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that DNA methylation controls the constitutive expression of negative Stat6 regulatory genes, which may affect Stat6 activities.