Abstract
We have examined the methylation status of two cellular oncogenes, c-Ha-ras and c-Ki-ras, in primary human carcinomas and the adjacent analogous normal tissues from which the tumors derived. The c-Ha-ras gene was hypomethylated in six of eight carcinomas, including five colonic adenocarcinomas and one small cell lung carcinoma, when compared to adjacent normal tissues. The c-Ki-ras gene was hypomethylated to a lesser extent in two colonic adenocarcinomas. This is the first demonstration of alterations in methylation of cellular oncogenes in human cancer.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adenocarcinoma / genetics
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Carcinoma, Small Cell / genetics
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Colonic Neoplasms / genetics
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DNA Restriction Enzymes / metabolism
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DNA, Neoplasm / analysis
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Deoxyribonuclease HpaII
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Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific*
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Humans
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Lung Neoplasms / genetics
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Methylation
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Neoplasms / genetics*
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Nucleic Acid Hybridization
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Oncogenes*
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Polymorphism, Genetic
Substances
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DNA, Neoplasm
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DNA Restriction Enzymes
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Deoxyribonuclease HpaII
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Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific
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GCGC-specific type II deoxyribonucleases