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Advances in Brief |
Keck School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-9021 [F. D. G., Y-F. L.]; University of New Mexico School of Medicine [H. J. H.], and Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Allergy [R. E. C.], University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106; Pulmonary and Critical Care, New Mexico Veterans Healthcare System, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108-5153 [R. E. C.]; and Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108 [R. W., S. A. B.]
| ABSTRACT |
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| Introduction |
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Emerging in the field of cancer biology is the recognition that epigenetically mediated gene silencing through promoter hypermethylation is a common event critical to the initiation and progression of cancer (1) . Inactivation of the p163 tumor suppressor gene and MGMT DNA repair gene by aberrant promoter methylation occurs frequently in non-small cell lung cancer. A recent study by our group has demonstrated that methylation of these genes can also be detected in DNA from sputum in 100% of squamous cell carcinomas up to 3 years before clinical diagnosis (2) . These methylation changes can also be detected in cancer-free smokers and former uranium miners exposed to radon progeny at a prevalence that approximates lifetime risk for lung cancer (3) . Progress in developing aberrant gene methylation as a molecular marker system for lung cancer risk would be facilitated by the identification of the determinants for methylation. Epidemiological studies continue to support the premise that genetic variation in individual response to carcinogens in tobacco smoke is important for defining inherent susceptibility to this disease (4) . Polymorphic variants of genes of which the products are involved in pathways that modulate and repair DNA damage after carcinogen exposure may affect the occurrence of de novo promoter methylation. On the basis of their associations with risk for lung cancer, we hypothesized that functional polymorphic variants of the NQO1, GSTP1, GSTM1, MPO, and XRCC1 genes are associated with p16 and/or MGMT promoter methylation in sputum from cancer-free subjects at high risk for developing lung cancer. This hypothesis was tested by conducting a cross-sectional genetic epidemiological study of 70 former uranium miners from the UES cohort who were at high risk for lung cancer.
| Materials and Methods |
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Human Tissue Samples.
Induced sputum and venous blood samples were collected during clinic visits. Sputum was induced by nebulized normal saline solution. Expectorated sputum was collected and stored in Saccamannos solution until DNA was extracted.
Nucleic Acid Isolation.
Leukocytes from venous blood samples were isolated by standard procedures. DNA was then extracted from both sputum and leukocyte samples by digestion with Pronase in 1% SDS followed by standard phenol-chloroform extraction and ethanol precipitation. DNA was stored at 4oC until additional analysis.
MSP.
The methylation status of the p16 and MGMT gene promoters in sputum samples was determined by a nested, two-stage MSP assay (2)
. Genomic DNA isolated from sputum was modified by treatment with sodium bisulfite, which converts only unmethylated cytosines to uracil. PCR primers specific to both methylated and unmethylated template were used. The conditions for the nested, two-stage PCR approach have been described (2)
. Products were visualized on 2% agarose gels. Normal human tissue collected at autopsy of never-smokers, and cell lines positive for p16(Calu6) and MGMT (SkuLu1) methylation served as negative and positive controls, respectively. The two-stage MSP assay requires only nanogram quantities of DNA and can detect methylated alleles in the presence of unmethylated alleles (as is the case with sputum) at a sensitivity of 1 in >50,000 copies.
Polymorphism Assays.
The presence of polymorphic variants of the NQO1, GSTP1, XRCC1, and MPO genes was determined by PCR-RFLP analysis of genomic DNA isolated from leukocytes. Briefly, a region surrounding the polymorphic site of each gene was generated through PCR amplification. Primer sequences for each polymorphism have been described (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
. Each PCR was performed with
200 ng of genomic DNA in a 50-µl reaction volume using Taq Gold polymerase (Perkin-Elmer). Each polymorphism either destroys or creates a specific restriction site within its amplification fragment. Subsequent digestion of the PCR products with appropriate restriction enzymes specific for each variant yields distinct banding patterns that correspond either to the wild-type or polymorphic allele of each gene.
PCR conditions for analysis of the MPO gene are as follows: 95°C for 11.5 min, denature at 95°C for 60 s, anneal at 58°C for 60 s, and extension at 72°C for 60 s for 40 cycles, followed by a 5-min final extension. The 350-bp PCR product was then digested with AciI. The presence of the polymorphic variant (G to A at position -463 in the promoter region of the MPO gene) destroys an AscI restriction site. An invariant AciI restriction site exists within the amplification fragment. The three possible genotypes are defined by the following banding patterns: G/G (169-, 120-, and 61-bp fragments), G/A (289-, 169-, 120-, and 61-bp fragments), and A/A (289- and 61-bp fragments).
Conditions for analysis of GSTP1 were as follows: 95°C for 11.5 min, denature at 95°C for 30 s, anneal at 55°C for 30 s, and extension at 72°C for 30 s for 40 cycles, followed by a 5-min final extension. The 176-bp PCR product was then digested with BsmA1. The presence of the polymorphic variant (A to G at bp 1578 of exon 5) creates a BsmA1 restriction site. The three possible genotypes are defined by the following banding patterns: A/A (uncut 176-bp fragment), A/G (176-, 91-, and 85-bp fragments), and G/G (91- and 85-bp fragments).
Because the GSTM1 genotype is either wild type or null, a multiplex PCR was performed to amplify the GSTM1 and ß-IFN genes (positive control) as described (10) . The PCR amplification of GSTM1 was as follows: 95°C for 10 min, denature at 95°C for 1 min, anneal at 60°C for 1 min, and extension at 72°C for 1 min for 40 cycles, followed by a 5-min final extension.
The PCR amplification of NQO1 was as follows: 95°C for 11.5 min, denature at 95°C for 30 s, anneal at 56°C for 30 s, and extension at 72°C for 30 s for 40 cycles, followed by a 5-min final extension. The 211-bp PCR product was then digested with HinfI. The presence of the polymorphic variant (C to T at bp 609 of exon 6) creates a HinfI restriction site. The three possible genotypes were defined by the following banding patterns: C/C (uncut 211-bp fragment), C/T (211-, 181-, and 30-bp fragments), and T/T (181- and 30-bp fragments).
The PCR conditions for amplification of the XRCC1 gene was as follows: 95°C for 11.5 min, denature at 95°C for 30 s, anneal at 62°C for 30 s, and extension at 72°C for 30 s for 40 cycles, followed by a 5-min final extension. The Arg allele at codon 399 contains a MspI site that is lost on conversion to the glutamine amino acid. The 198-bp PCR product was digested overnight with 20 units of MspI (New England BioLabs Inc., Beverly, MA) at 60°C. The homozygous Gln allele produced a single 198-bp product, the homozygous Arg allele produced 145-bp and 53-bp products (the 53-bp product produced was too small to accurately resolve), and the heterozygous Arg/Gln allele produced three products of 198-bp, 145-bp, and 53 bp.
Data Analysis.
Logistic regression models were used to assess the effect of genotype on the occurrence of methylation in sputum samples using additive and dominant models for MPO, XRCC1, GSTP1, and NQO1. The number of subjects who were homozygous for the variant alleles was insufficient to fit codominant models for alleles of these genes. The GSTM1 genotype was defined as null or present. In the additive model, the number of polymorphic variants was used as an independent variable, i.e., wild-type (0), heterozygous (1)
, and homozygous (2)
. The polymorphic variant genotypes for MPO, XRCC1, NQO1, and GSTP1were compared with the homozygous wild-type genotype (the reference group). Data were analyzed using SAS software version 8e (13)
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| Results |
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76% had a history of smoking (mean pack-years, 15). Radon exposure ranged from 4 to 608 WLMs with a mean of 161 WLMs; 75% of the subjects had >100 WLMs. The median age was 62 (range 3983 years).
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Analysis of the NQO1 polymorphism revealed a distribution of 51.4% wild-type (C/C), 41.4% heterozygous (C/T), and 7.1% homozygous (T/T). The frequency of the wild-type NQO1 genotype among non-Hispanic white subjects was 68.2%, whereas that in Hispanic subjects was 41.3%. The distribution of homozygous wild-type NQO1 genotype varied by smoking status (58.8% of never-smokers, 56.4% of former-smokers, and 28.6% of current-smokers, respectively).
The distribution of the three GSTP1 genotypes was 35.7% wild-type (Arg/Arg), 52.9% heterozygous (Arg/Gly), and 11.4% homozygous (Gly/Gly). The frequencies of the wild-type GSTP1 genotype among non-Hispanic white and Hispanic subjects were 36.4% and 32.6%, respectively. The homozygous wild-type genotype occurred in 35.3% of never-smokers, 43.6% of former-smokers, and 14.3% of current-smokers.
Lastly, the distribution of the GSTM1 genotype was 48.6% null and 51.4% present. The frequencies of the present genotype among non-Hispanic white and Hispanic subjects were 63.6% and 41.3%, respectively. The percentages of the GSTM1 genotype were 58.8% of never-smokers, 41.3% of former-smokers, and 57.1% of current-smokers, respectively.
Methylation of p16 and MGMT in Sputum.
The frequency of p16 and MGMTpromoter gene methylation was determined previously in sputum samples (2)
. Abnormal p16 and MGMT gene methylation was present in sputum from 10 (14.3%) and 21 (30.0%) of 70 subjects, respectively. The frequency of methylation of these two genes was similar in tobacco-plus-radon versus radon exposure alone. Methylation of either p16 or MGMT was detected in 40% of subjects, and of p16 and MGMT in 3 subjects. Methylation among ethnic groups was not statistically different.
Relationship between Genetic Polymorphism and Gene-specific Promoter Methylation.
Polymorphic variants of GSTP1 and NQO1 were significantly associated with p16 and/or MGMTpromoter methylation (Table 3)
. Interestingly, although there was not a significant association between the variant NQO1 genotype and methylation of the p16 or MGMT promoters individually, the presence of p16 or MGMT was significantly associated (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.09.2). The absence of one or both wild-type alleles for the GSTP1 gene was significantly associated with MGMT methylation alone (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.218.6) and for either p16 or MGMT methylation in sputum (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.314.2). These significant associations were still observed in the additive model as well (Table 3)
. No association was apparent among the MPO, XRCC1, or GSTM1polymorphisms and p16 or MGMT promoter methylation. Although ORs were adjusted for ethnicity, no evidence of confounding was found in our data set. Ethnicity or exposure to tobacco smoke or radon progeny did not modify the relationships between the genotypes and promoter methylation in the sputum.
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| Discussion |
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The GSTP1 genotype was significantly associated with MGMT methylation alone, and this association was increased when either p16 or MGMT methylation was present in cells in the sputum sample. Although there was not a significant association between the NQO1 genotype and methylation of the p16or MGMT promoters individually, the presence of p16 or MGMT methylation was significantly associated. It is plausible that reduced defenses for oxidant damage from radiation and tobacco smoke exposure as a result of variant NQO1 and GSTP1 enzymes may work in concert to produce DNA damage severe enough to affect the fidelity for maintenance of CpGs in the p16and MGMT promoters.
The GSTs form a superfamily of four distinct genes important for defense against oxidative damage to DNA (14 , 19) . These cytosolic enzymes play an important role in protecting DNA against damage because of adduct formation through the detoxification of reactive oxygen species and electrophiles formed during carcinogen metabolism and absorption of radiation. The major GST protein in the human lung is GSTP1. A polymorphic site at codon 105 of the P1 gene (an A-to-G substitution) leads to an isoleucine-to-valine substitution in the hydrophobic binding region of the protein. This substitution alters the catalytic properties of the enzyme and is associated with a significantly higher level of hydrophobic DNA adducts (12) . Lung cancer patients have also been shown to have a higher frequency of the GG phenotype than controls (12) . GSTM1 is involved in Phase II detoxification of activated xenobiotic metabolites and has been weakly associated with lung cancer risk (15 , 16) . A substantial portion of the population has a null genotype for GSTM1. Our finding of more methylation associated with the G allele of GSTP1 but not the GSTM1 null genotype is consistent with high expression of GSTP1 in the lung and the protective role of wild-type GSTP1 in lung cancer risk.
NQO1 is a cytosolic enzyme that carries out the two-electron reduction of a variety of quinone substrates present in the environment as combustion by-products, including that of automobile exhaust and cigarette smoke, and endogenously as antioxidants (17
, 18)
. In addition, nitroaromatic compounds, heterocyclic amines, and cigarette smoke condensate are metabolized by NQO1. However, NQO1 is also involved in antioxidant defenses through metabolism of quinone antioxidants. A polymorphic variant of the gene (a C-to-T transition at bp 609 of exon 6) is associated with an
3-fold decrease in NQO1 activity; however, the association of the wild-type allele with lung cancer risk has been inconsistent (9
, 20
, 21)
. Interestingly, Lafuente et al. (22)
found an association between the NQO1 polymorphic variant and an increased risk of colon cancer. In addition, the polymorphic variant genotype was associated with colon tumors that exhibited mutation in the K-ras gene. The mutated ras gene functions as an oncogene, leading to a prolonged mitogenic signal in affected cells. Consistent with this study, we found that the variant NQO1allele confers an increased risk of p16 suppression through hypermethylation. However, studies suggest that, depending on the substrate, the wild-type NQO1 allele may confer either an increased or decreased risk for various malignancies. Our results support the hypothesis that NQO1 is an important enzyme involved in modulating lung cancer risk, but the effects of the variant allele may depend on specific exposures.
The connection between DNA methylation and gene expression has been known for almost 20 years. The predominant consequence of gene promoter methylation is transcriptional repression, which can be mediated either directly, by blocking the binding of transcription factors, or indirectly by proteins that specifically bind to methylated DNA (23, 24, 25) . However, the genetic or environmental factors that underlie the targeting of specific gene promoters for hypermethylation are unknown. DNA damage by tobacco carcinogens could be one factor leading to regional disruption of normal chromatin structure. This change in genomic integrity could lead to inappropriate methylation by the cytosine DNA methyltransferases of CpG sites in the normally protected promoter region of genes such as p16 and MGMT.
A limitation of our study was the low power to detect ORs <2.5. Population stratification may be a source of bias in multiethnic populations. We adjusted for ethnicity but did not have information to adjust for admixture within ethnic groups. Furthermore, ethnic differences in genetic effects could not be adequately assessed. In the present study, all of the subjects had substantial radon progeny exposure through uranium mining. The frequency of methylation of the p16 and MGMT genes was similar in tobacco-plus-radon versus radon exposure alone. Additional investigations with an expanded study population will more precisely define the influence of these and other germ-line polymorphisms working together or alone on the propensity to acquire multiple epigenetic changes in sputum. This information could greatly aid in the ultimate development of a genetic and epigenetic risk model for lung cancer.
| FOOTNOTES |
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1 Supported by NIH Grant R01 CA70190 under Department of Energy Cooperative Agreement DE-FC04-96AL76406; by a Special Emphasis Research Career Award, National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety, FG02-90ER60939; and by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Grant 5P30 ES07048-06. ![]()
2 To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Phone: (505) 348-9465; Fax: (505) 348-4980; E-mail: sbelinsk{at}LRRI.org ![]()
3 The abbreviations used are: p16, p16INK4a; MGMT, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase MSP, methylation-specific PCR; MPO, myeloperoxidase; NQO1, NADPH quinone oxidoreductase; GSTP1, glutathione S-transferase P1; GSTM1, glutathione S-transferase M1; GST, glutathione S-transferase; UES, Uranium Epidemiological Study; WLM, working level month, OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval. ![]()
Received 11/15/01. Accepted 2/26/02.
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