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Aberrant methylation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor type 2B (NMDAR2B) in non-small cell carcinoma

Hajime Tamura1, Makoto Suzuki, Yasumitsu Moriya

  • 1Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuoh-Ku, Chiba 280-8670, Japan.

BMC Cancer
|June 7, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Aberrant methylation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B (NMDAR2B) gene is common in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methylation correlates with better prognosis in squamous cell carcinoma, suggesting a varied role in different NSCLC types.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Genetics

Background:

  • N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) function as tumor suppressors in digestive cancers.
  • NMDAR2B expression and methylation patterns in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between NMDAR2B gene methylation and its expression in NSCLC.
  • To determine the clinical significance of NMDAR2B methylation in NSCLC patients.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of NMDAR2B methylation and expression in 9 NSCLC cell lines and 216 clinical NSCLC tissues.
  • Utilized RT-PCR, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment, methylation-specific quantitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry.
  • Retrospective analysis of patient records to assess clinical significance.

Main Results:

  • NMDAR2B was silenced in 5/9 cell lines, with expression restored by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, indicating inverse correlation with methylation.
  • Aberrant NMDAR2B methylation occurred in 61% of NSCLC tissues, inversely correlating with protein expression.
  • Aberrant methylation was an independent prognostic factor in squamous cell carcinoma but not associated with other clinical factors.

Conclusions:

  • Aberrant methylation of NMDAR2B is a frequent event in NSCLC.
  • NMDAR2B methylation is associated with a significantly better prognosis in squamous cell carcinoma cases.
  • The role of NMDAR2B may differ across various NSCLC histological subtypes.

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