Метилирование генов BCL-2, CDKN1A и ATM у лиц, подвергшихся хроническому облучению

Abstract

DNA methylation is the most common epigenetic modification, caused by ionizing radiation. There may be both hypermethylation, which suppresses transcription of gene promoter regions, and hypomethylation, resulting in gene activation. Both mechanisms may be involved in carcinogenesis. The study was aimed to assess methylation status of CpG islands in the protective system BCL-2, CDKN1A and ATM gene promoters in the peripheral blood cells of the chronically exposed individuals, living in the villages, located along the Techa River, over a long-term period. Methylation of BCL-2, CDKN1A and ATM gene promoter regions in 68 residents of the villages, located along the Techa River (Chelyabinsk region), was assessed by the real-time methylation-specific PCR. The group of exposed individuals included 54 people with accumulated dose to red bone marrow within the range of 0.09–3.51 Gy. The comparison group included 14 people, living in similar economic and social environment, with the dose to red bone marrow, accumulated during the whole life, not exceeding 70 mGy. The pilot study of exposed individuals over a long period of time after chronic low-dose radiation exposure revealed no significant changes in methylation levels of CpG islands in the CDKN1A, BCL-2, ATM gene promoter regions compared to the comparison group. None were revealed in the dose subgroups “87–994 mGy” and “over 1000 mGy”.