Modulation of miR-29 Expression by Alpha-fetoprotein is linked to the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Epigenome

ABSTRACT: Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 70-85% of primary liver cancers and ranks second in the leading cause of male cancer death. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), normally highly expressed in the liver only during fetal development, is reactivated in 60% of HCC tumors and associated with poor patient outcome. We hypothesize that AFP+ and AFP- tumors differ biologically. Using microarray-based global microRNA profiling in 223 HCC patients, we found that members of the miR-29 family were the most significantly (p<0.001) down-regulated miRNAs in AFP+ tumors. Consistent with miR-29's role in targeting DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A), a key enzyme regulating DNA methylation, we found a significant inverse correlation (p<0.001) between miR-29 and DNMT3A gene expression suggesting

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

SUBMITTER: Xin Wang 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-52018 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress