Gene expression analysis of breast cancer (HCC1954) and normal breast cells (HMEC)

ABSTRACT: While genetic mutation is a hallmark of cancer, many cancers also acquire epigenetic alterations during tumorigenesis including aberrant DNA hypermethylation of tumor suppressors as well as changes in chromatin modifications as caused by genetic mutations of the chromatin-modifying machinery. However, the extent of epigenetic alterations in cancer cells has not been fully characterized. Here, we describe the first complete methylome maps at single nucleotide resolution of a low-passage breast cancer cell line and primary human mammary epithelial cells. We find widespread DNA hypomethylation in the cancer cell, primarily at partially methylated domains (PMDs) in normal breast cells. Unexpectedly, genes within these regions are largely silenced in cancer cells. The loss of DNA methylation in

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

SUBMITTER: Hon GC 

PROVIDER: S-ECPF-GEOD-29119 | biostudies-other | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other