[Dynamics of methylation changes within functional groups of genes during breast cancer progression]

For the first time in a comparative perspective the epigenetic status of the benign proliferative processes, breast cancer, and metastases to regional lymph nodes was studied using DNA methylation microarray "GoldenGate Cancer Panel I" ("Illumina", USA). The functional groups of differentially methylated genes were identified in each set of samples. The genes that regulate cell proliferation and mobility were methylated in samples with benign proliferative processes. An aberrant methylation of the genes responsible for cell differentiation and proliferation, as well as protein phosphorylation and cell mobility was observed in the samples with malignant phenotype. Differential methylation of the genes that regulate cell adhesion, the formation of anatomical structures, angiogenesis, immune response, signal transduction, and protein phosphorylation was found in the samples with metastases to regional lymph nodes in comparison with the morphologically unaltered breast epithelium. The tissues from the benign proliferative processes and metastases to regional lymph nodes were generally characterized by a relatively lower level of epigenetic variability in comparison with the tissues of the primary tumor.