PTEN promoter methylation and expression in endometrial cancer tissues

Abstract

Introduction: Some gene expression regulation in cancers can be controlled by epigenetic change like methylation. PTEN promoter methylation and expression were evaluated in endometrial cancer. Methods: The study was run on 39 tumor tissues of endometrial cancer patients and 41 normal endometrial tissues. After total RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis was done by reverse transcription of the total (real-time PCR) using SYBER Green master mix. DNA extraction and bisulfite treatment were conducted and methylation was semiquantified by the methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting method. Finally, promoter methylation quantification of the total number of 25 tumors and 22 non-neoplastic tissues was done. Results: PTEN gene expression showed a significant decrease in endometrial cancer tissues. Promoter methylation was significantly lower in the non-neoplastic group (7.2; p < 0.001). In addition, PTEN promoter methylation was observed in 52.0% of tumor tissues compared with 13.6% in the non-neoplastic group (p = 0.06). There were no significant correlations between PTEN expression and methylation and clinicopathological features in endometrial cancer patients (p > 0.05). Conclusion: PTEN gene expression in endometrial cancer tissues decreased because of its promoter hypermethylation.