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Updated: Mar 7, 2026

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors
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Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

Published on: August 5, 2022

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DNA methylation-mediated caspase-8 downregulation is associated with anti-apoptotic activity and human malignant

Yueqiu Teng1, Yu-Cui Dong1, Zhaoyu Liu1

  • 1Department of Immunology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China.

International Journal of Molecular Medicine
|February 17, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Methylation silences the caspase-8 gene in human malignant glioma, promoting cancer growth and therapeutic resistance. Targeting this gene methylation could aid early diagnosis and overcome treatment resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Methylation-mediated silencing of tumor suppressors, including apoptosis-related genes, is crucial in cancer pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance.
  • Understanding resistance to apoptosis via caspase-8 gene downregulation is vital in human malignant glioma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role and mechanisms of apoptosis resistance linked to caspase-8 gene downregulation in human malignant glioma.
  • To investigate the association between caspase-8 gene methylation and glioma progression.

Main Methods:

  • Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) to assess caspase-8 mRNA expression and gene methylation status.
  • Caspase-8 colorimetric assays for protein kinase activity.
  • Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry to evaluate cell apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • Caspase-8 gene silencing in human glioma tissues is likely due to promoter methylation.
  • Caspase-8 mRNA expression significantly correlates with glioma grade.
  • In cancer cell lines, caspase-8 expression, activity, and apoptosis resistance are linked to promoter methylation status.

Conclusions:

  • Caspase-8 gene methylation status may serve as an early diagnostic indicator for human malignant glioma.
  • Combination therapy with demethylation reagents holds potential to overcome therapeutic resistance in glioma.

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