Prostaglandin E2 promotes intestinal tumor growth via DNA methylation.

ABSTRACT: Although aberrant DNA methylation is considered to be one of the key ways by which tumor-suppressor and DNA-repair genes are silenced during tumor initiation and progression, the mechanisms underlying DNA methylation alterations in cancer remain unclear. Here we show that prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) silences certain tumor-suppressor and DNA-repair genes through DNA methylation to promote tumor growth. These findings uncover a previously unrecognized role for PGE(2) in the promotion of tumor progression.

SUBMITTER: Xia D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3274627 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature