Methylation of the HOXA10 homeobox gene promoter is associated with endometrial cancer: a pilot study

J Obstet Gynaecol. 2013 Jul;33(5):519-20. doi: 10.3109/01443615.2013.776027.

Abstract

Methylation in the promoter region represents an epigenetic mechanism that silences expression of various homeobox genes in cancers. We compare the methylation profile of HOXA10 promoter gene in 19 histologically proven endometrioid cancers and 27 normal endometrial tissues. Endometrial cancer tissue displays significantly higher methylation status in HOXA10 gene promoter than normal tissue, suggesting a possible role of epigenetic changes in HOXA10 gene regulation in tumorigenesis. Further studies in human tissue and cell lines are necessary to validate these preliminary results and to investigate HOXA10 expression according to methylation status in endometrial cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / metabolism*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • DNA Methylation
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia / metabolism*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Homeobox A10 Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Pilot Projects
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic

Substances

  • Homeobox A10 Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • HOXA10 protein, human