DNA hypomethylation-mediated overexpression of carbonic anhydrase 9 induces an aggressive phenotype in ovarian cancer cells

Hye Youn Sung, Woong Ju, Jung Hyuck Ahn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Both genetic and epigenetic alterations can lead to abnormal expression of metastasis-regulating genes in tumor cells. Recent studies suggest that aberrant epigenetic alterations, followed by differential gene expression, leads to an aggressive cancer cell phenotype. We examined epigenetically regulated genes that are involved in ovarian cancer metastasis.

Materials and Methods: We developed SK-OV-3 human ovarian carcinoma cell xenografts in mice. We compared the mRNA expression and DNA methylation profiles of metastatic tissues to those of the original SK-OV-3 cell line.

Results: Metastatic implants showed increased mRNA expression of the carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) gene and hypomethylation at CpG sites in the CA9 promoter. Treatment of wild-type SK-OV-3 cells with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine reduced methylation of the CA9 promoter and increased CA9 mRNA expression. Eight CpGs, which were located at positions -197, -74, -19, -6, +4, +13, +40, and +86, relative to the transcription start site, were hypomethylated in metastatic tumor implants, compared to that of wild-type SK-OV-3. Overexpression of CA9 induced an aggressive phenotype, including increased invasiveness and migration, in SK-OV-3 cells.

Conclusion: Alterations in the DNA methylation profile of the CA9 promoter were correlated with a more aggressive phenotype in ovarian cancer cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1656-1663
Number of pages8
JournalYonsei Medical Journal
Volume55
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2014

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Yonsei University College of Medicine 2014.

Keywords

  • CA9
  • DNA methylation
  • Metastasis
  • Mouse xenograft
  • Ovarian cancer

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'DNA hypomethylation-mediated overexpression of carbonic anhydrase 9 induces an aggressive phenotype in ovarian cancer cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this