DNA methylation contributes to expression of the human neurotensin/neuromedin N gene

The American Journal of Physiology
Z DongB M Evers

Abstract

The gut and liver share a common embryological origin. The gene encoding the gut hormone neurotensin/neuromedin N (NT/N) is expressed in the adult small bowel, and NT/N is transiently expressed in the fetal liver, suppressed in the adult liver, and reexpressed in certain liver cancers. In our present study, we found that the NT/N gene was expressed at high levels in the human hepatoma cell line Hep 3B but was not expressed in Hep G2 cells. To further determine the mechanisms regulating NT/N expression, we performed Southern blotting and gene cloning techniques. Neither alteration nor mutation of the NT/N gene was responsible for this differential NT/N expression pattern. Human NT/N promoter constructs were transfected into either Hep 3B or Hep G2. Both cell lines supported NT/N transcription, indicating that the absence of NT/N expression in Hep G2 cells was due to mechanisms other than the absence of positive transcription factors. The role of DNA methylation was next assessed. Methylation of NT/N promoter constructs in vitro resulted in a 67-fold reduction in promoter activity, whereas treatment with the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine induced NT/N expression in Hep G2 cells, thus suggesting that DNA methylation plays a rol...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 31, 2002·World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG·J CuiZ R Fan
Sep 11, 2004·American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology·Nan LiB Mark Evers
Nov 30, 2000·American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology·Z DongB M Evers
Sep 16, 2003·Molecular Biology of the Cell·Zizheng Dong, Jian-Ting Zhang

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