Regulation of the stem cell marker CD133 is independent of promoter hypermethylation in human epithelial differentiation and cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epigenetic control is essential for maintenance of tissue hierarchy and correct differentiation. In cancer, this hierarchical structure is altered and epigenetic control deregulated, but the relationship between these two phenomena is still unclear. CD133 is a marker for adult stem cells in various tissues and tumour types. Stem cell specificity is maintained by tight regulation of CD133 expression at both transcriptional and post-translational levels. In this study we investigated the role of epigenetic regulation of CD133 in epithelial differentiation and cancer.

Methods

DNA methylation analysis of the CD133 promoter was done by pyrosequencing and methylation specific PCR; qRT-PCR was used to measure CD133 expression and chromatin structure was determined by ChI

SUBMITTER: Pellacani D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3162587 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature