Methylation of the alpha-fetoprotein gene in isogenic rat hepatoma and liver cell lines

Keiko Sakuma, Jeffry R. Cook, Catharine L. Smith, Jen Fu Chiu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have found that DNA methylation is inversely correlated with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene expression in a series of isogenic rat hepatoma cell lines. The 5′ end of the gene is extensively demethylated in AFP-producing cells and is highly methylated in cell lines which do not produce AFP. Glucocorticoid affects markedly the synthesis of AFP in the hepatoma cells. However, methylation patterns of cell lines which were treated with dexamethasone were not different from those of control cells, indicating that glucocorticoid action on AFP gene expression does not alter DNA methylation in this region of the gene.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)447-453
Number of pages7
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume143
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 13 1987
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Methylation of the alpha-fetoprotein gene in isogenic rat hepatoma and liver cell lines'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this