Cell type-specific DNA methylation patterns in the human breast.

ABSTRACT: Cellular identity and differentiation are determined by epigenetic programs. The characteristics of these programs in normal human mammary epithelium and their similarity to those in stem cells are unknown. To begin investigating these issues, we analyzed the DNA methylation and gene expression profiles of distinct subpopulations of mammary epithelial cells by using MSDK (methylation-specific digital karyotyping) and SAGE (serial analysis of gene expression). We identified discrete cell-type and differentiation state-specific DNA methylation and gene expression patterns that were maintained in a subset of breast carcinomas and correlated with clinically relevant tumor subtypes. CD44+ cells were the most hypomethylated and highly expressed several transcription factors with known stem cell

SUBMITTER: Bloushtain-Qimron N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2532972 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature