Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the methylation status of three important cancer related genes viz. p16, E-cadherin and hMLH1 promoters and to associate the findings with specific dietary habits in Kashmiris, a culturally distinct population in India, with gastric cancer. The study subjects were divided into three age groups viz. 0-30 yrs (1st), 31-60 yrs (2nd) and 61-90 yrs (3rd). A highly significant association between the intake of local hot salted tea in 2nd (p=0.001) and 3rd (p=0.009) age groups was observed with the promoter hypermethylation of E cadherin. Again a highly significant association between the aberrant methylation of hMLH1 (p=0.000) and p16 (p=0.000) promoters and the intake of local hot salted tea was observed in the 2nd age group of gastric cancer patients. The intake of sun-dried food was also significantly associated with the promoter hypermethylation of E cadherin (p=0.003) and p16 (p=0.015) genes in 3rd age group. The results of the present study suggest a close association between the aberrant methylation of p16, E-cadherin and hMLH1 promoters and the intake of local hot salted tea and sun-dried foods in Kashmiri population.
Highlights
DNA hypermethylation is the most important epigenetic alteration in the malignant transformation
The results of the present study suggest a close association between the aberrant methylation of p16, E-cadherin and hMLH1 promoters and the intake of local hot salted tea and sun-dried foods in Kashmiri population
A better comprehension of the causality of gastric carcinoma can be established by combining epidemiological data with the molecular endpoints
Summary
DNA hypermethylation is the most important epigenetic alteration in the malignant transformation. It includes global hypermethylation and the hypermethylation of CpG islands restricted in the regulatory regions of most human genes (Baylin et al 1999, Santos et al 2007). An aberrant promoter methylation in cancer-related genes is frequently detected in gastric tumors, signifying its involvement in the induction/promotion of gastric cancer (Suzuki et al 1999, Leung et al 1999, Leal et al 2007). Of several tumor suppressor genes that are associated with the development of variety of human cancers, the p16 (CDKN2a/INK4a) gene is one of the important tumorsuppressor genes and its protein is considered to be a negative regulator of G1 phase progression (Rocco et al 2001). In addition to gene deletion and point mutation of p16 locus, has been found to be one of the main mechanisms of p16 inactivation (Cairns et al 1995, Heinzel et al 1996, El-Naggar et al 1997 Sanchez et al 2000)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
