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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Targeted DNA Methylation Analysis by Next-generation Sequencing
Published on: February 24, 2015
CpG island methylation of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes in cervical cancer
D M Kordi Tamandani1, R C Sobti, M Shekari
1Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigrah, India. dor_kordi@yahoo.com
Background:
Gene silencing associated with aberrant methylation of promoter region CpG islands is an acquired epigenetic alteration that serves as an alternative to genetic defects in the inactivation of tumor suppressor and other genes in human cancers.
Aims:
This study describes the methylation status of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes in cervical cancer. We also examined the prevalence of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes methylation in cervical cancer tissue and none--neo plastic samples in an effort to correlate with smoking habit and clinicopathological features.
Method:
Target DNA was modified by sodium bisulfite, converting all unmethylated, but not methylated, cytosines to uracil, and subsequently amplified by Methylation Specific (MS) PCR with primers specific for methylated versus unmethylated DNA. The PCR product was detected by gel electrophoresis and combined with the clinical records of patients.
Results:
The methylation pattern of the TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes in specimens of cervical cancer and adjacent normal tissues were detected (5/80 (6.2%), 3/80 (3.75%)-2/80 (2.5%), 1/80 (1.2%) respectively). No statistical differences were seen in the extent of differentiation, invasion, pathological type and smoking habit between the methylated and unmethylated tissues (P > 0.05).
Conclusion:
The present study conclude that the frequency of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes methylation in cervical cancer are rare (< 6%), and have no any critical role in development of cervical cancer.
Insights
Methylation of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes is rare in cervical cancer, occurring in less than 6% of cases. This epigenetic alteration does not appear to play a critical role in cervical cancer development or progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Aberrant DNA methylation of CpG islands in promoter regions causes gene silencing, acting as an alternative to genetic mutations in tumor suppressor gene inactivation in human cancers.
- Epigenetic alterations, specifically gene promoter methylation, are crucial in cancer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the methylation status of the TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes in cervical cancer.
- To determine the prevalence of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 gene methylation in cervical cancer tissues and non-neoplastic samples.
- To correlate gene methylation with smoking habits and clinicopathological features.
Main Methods:
- DNA was modified using sodium bisulfite to convert unmethylated cytosines to uracil.
- Methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR) was employed using primers specific for methylated and unmethylated DNA.
- PCR products were analyzed by gel electrophoresis, and results were correlated with clinical data.
Main Results:
- The methylation of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes was detected in a small fraction of cervical cancer specimens (6.2% and 3.75%, respectively).
- Methylation frequencies in adjacent normal tissues were even lower (2.5% and 1.2%, respectively).
- No significant association was found between gene methylation and clinicopathological features such as differentiation, invasion, pathological type, or smoking habits.
Conclusions:
- The methylation of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes is infrequent in cervical cancer, occurring in less than 6% of cases.
- These methylation events do not appear to have a critical role in the development of cervical cancer.
- Further research may explore other epigenetic modifications or genetic alterations involved in cervical carcinogenesis.
