Isolation and comparative study of cell-free nucleic acids from human urine

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Sep:1075:334-40. doi: 10.1196/annals.1368.045.

Abstract

Cell-free nucleic acids (NA) from human urine were investigated. Concentrations of DNA and RNA in the urine of healthy people were independent of gender and were in the range of 6 ng/mL to 50 ng/mL and 24 ng/mL to 140 ng/mL, respectively. DNA fragments of 150-400 bp represent the main part of cell-free DNA, along with DNA fragments up to 1,300 bp, which were found in male urine, and DNA fragments up to 19 kbp, which were found in female urine. Analysis of circulating DNA, isolated from blood of breast cancer patients and cell-free DNA isolated from their urine by methylation-specific PCR, demonstrates that the presence of methylated promoters of RASSF1A and RARbeta2 genes in plasma was accompanied by the detection of the same methylated markers in urine. The data obtained demonstrate applicability of cell-free urine DNA in cancer diagnostics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / urine
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / urine
  • DNA Fragmentation
  • DNA Methylation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Nucleic Acids / blood
  • Nucleic Acids / isolation & purification*
  • Nucleic Acids / urine*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / genetics
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / blood
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / urine

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Nucleic Acids
  • RASSF1 protein, human
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • retinoic acid receptor beta