Epigenetics of multiple myeloma after treatment with cytostatics and gamma radiation

Leuk Res. 2009 Nov;33(11):1490-8. doi: 10.1016/j.leukres.2009.03.016. Epub 2009 Apr 10.

Abstract

Genetic and epigenetic changes in multiple myeloma (MM) correlate with the stage of the disease. Therefore, we investigated how cytostatics and gamma radiation influence MM-associated histone modifications. ChIP-PCR and ChIP-on-chip technologies were used to quantify H3K9 acetylation and H3K9 dimethylation at select loci in MM patients, lymphoblastoid ARH-77, and myeloma MOLP-8 cells. Genome-wide analysis revealed that the cytostatic, melphalan, increased H3K9 acetylation at multiple gene promoters in ARH-77 cells. Melphalan and gamma radiation also influenced histone modification of prognostically important c-myc and CCND1 genes in ARH-77 and MOLP-8 cells. Moreover, H3K9 acetylation at c-myc and CCND1 promoters was increased in individual MM patients after melphalan treatment. Western blotting revealed that these effects were accompanied by changes in c-MYC and cyclin D1 protein levels. Taken together, we showed that cytostatics significantly alter histone modification of tumor-related genes which is indispensable for understanding cancer therapies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cyclin D1 / genetics
  • DNA Primers
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gamma Rays / therapeutic use*
  • Genes, myc
  • Humans
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Myeloma / genetics
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Multiple Myeloma / radiotherapy*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • CCND1 protein, human
  • DNA Primers
  • Cyclin D1