Characterisation of the GRAF gene promoter and its methylation in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

ABSTRACT: We report the isolation of the 5' flanking region of GRAF (GTPase regulator associated with the focal adhesion kinase), previously described as a putative tumour suppressor gene of acute myelogenous leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, and demonstrate its promoter activity in reporter gene assays. Two putative protein-binding sites are identified of which one was sensitive to CpG methylation. The suppressed GRAF expression could be restored in leukaemia cell lines by treatment with a demethylating agent and an inhibitor of histone deacetylases. In contrast to normal tissues, which tested negative for GRAF promoter methylation, 11 of 29 (38%) bone marrow samples from patients with acute myeloid leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome were positive.

SUBMITTER: Bojesen SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2361128 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature