Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

In Vitro Differentiation Model of Human Normal Memory B Cells to Long-lived Plasma Cells
Published on: January 20, 2019
Epigenetic and functional analysis of IGFBP3 and IGFBPrP1 in cellular immortalization
Aviva Levine Fridman1, Rita Rosati, Qunfang Li
1Program in Molecular Biology and Genetics, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 110 East Warren Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Abstract:
Carcinogenic transformation of a cell requires bypassing senescence and becoming immortalized. A cellular senescence-like phenotype can be induced in immortal Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) cells by treating them with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-deoxycytidine. Our microarray-based expression profiling studies of spontaneously immortalized LFS cell lines identified genes that may provide the growth advantage required for the cells to become immortal. Several members of the IGFBP superfamily of genes fit the profile of genes involved in immortalization: silenced during immortalization and reactivated by 5-aza-deoxycytidine. Overexpression of IGFBP3 or IGFBPrP1 in the immortal LFS cell lines suppressed cell growth and inhibited colony formation. Both genes have the expression pattern of an epigenetically regulated gene and contain CpG islands suitable for methylation-dependent silencing. Analysis of how IGFBPs regulate immortalization will lead to a better understanding of this process and may lead to novel methods for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
Related Concept Videos
Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
Abnormal Proliferation
