Evaluation of the Methylation Status of the MEIS1 Promoter Gene in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer, the third most common type of cancer is a major cause of mortality worldwide. If colorectal cancer is detected at the early stages, the 5-year survival rate is 90%. MEIS1 homeobox gene is implicated in numerous solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the methylation status of the MEIS1 gene in colorectal cancer. Methods: We used real-time quantitative methylation-specific PCR to detect MEIS1 promoter methylation in 42 colorectal cancer tissues and 42 normal colorectal tissues. Results: Methylation was observed only in the positive control samples - CG Genome Universal Unmethylated DNA and CG Genome Universal Methylated DNA. There was no change observed in MEIS1 promoter methylation status in 42 patients. Conclusion: The results of the current study indicated that the MEIS1 gene promoter was not methylated in the cases. Gene expression study confirmed the unmethylated status of the MEIS1 gene in the colorectal cancer process among the studied population.

Keywords

• Colorectal cancer
• Methylation
• MEIS1