Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 9, 2026

DNA Methylation: Bisulphite Modification and Analysis
12:34

DNA Methylation: Bisulphite Modification and Analysis

Published on: October 21, 2011

106.5K

DNA methylation profiling in MEN1-related pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors reveals a potential epigenetic target for

E B Conemans1,2,3, L Lodewijk1, C B Moelans4

  • 1Departments of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

European Journal of Endocrinology
|June 16, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Promoter hypermethylation is common in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs), regardless of genetic cause. Targeting DNA methylation may offer therapeutic benefits for patients with advanced MEN1-related PanNETs.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Epigenetic alterations, specifically DNA promoter hypermethylation, are implicated in the development of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs).
  • This gene silencing mechanism is potentially reversible, presenting a therapeutic target.
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a primary genetic cause of inherited PanNETs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare promoter methylation profiles in MEN1-related and sporadic PanNETs.
  • To identify specific genes and patterns of methylation associated with MEN1-related PanNETs.

Main Methods:

  • Methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification was employed.
  • Assessed promoter methylation status of 56 tumor suppressor genes.
  • Analyzed 61 MEN1-related and 34 sporadic PanNETs, comparing cumulative methylation index (CMI), methylation percentages, and hypermethylation frequencies.

Main Results:

  • Promoter hypermethylation was frequently observed in both MEN1-related and sporadic PanNETs.
  • No significant difference in CMI was found between MEN1-related and sporadic PanNETs.
  • Higher methylation percentages of CASP8 were noted in MEN1-related PanNETs (59% vs 16.5%).
  • In MEN1-related non-functioning PanNETs, higher CMI correlated with larger tumor size (>2 cm) and presence of liver metastases.
  • MGMT2 hypermethylation was more prevalent in non-functioning PanNETs compared to insulinomas.

Conclusions:

  • Promoter hypermethylation is a common epigenetic event in both MEN1-related and sporadic PanNETs.
  • The findings suggest that targeting DNA methylation could be a valuable therapeutic strategy for MEN1 patients, particularly those with advanced PanNETs.

More Related Videos

Human Neuroendocrine Tumor Cell Lines as a Three-Dimensional Model for the Study of Human Neuroendocrine Tumor Therapy12:04

Human Neuroendocrine Tumor Cell Lines as a Three-Dimensional Model for the Study of Human Neuroendocrine Tumor Therapy

Published on: August 14, 2012

29.5K
Epigenetic Engineering of K562 Cells: Dual-Vector Episomal Strategy for Stable Targeted DNA Methylation using dCas9-DNMT3A and -HDAC1 Fusion Proteins09:56

Epigenetic Engineering of K562 Cells: Dual-Vector Episomal Strategy for Stable Targeted DNA Methylation using dCas9-DNMT3A and -HDAC1 Fusion Proteins

Published on: October 31, 2025

464

Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
33.9K
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
3.9K
DNA-only Transposons02:57

DNA-only Transposons

DNA-only transposons are called autonomous transposons since they code for the enzyme transposase that is required for the transposition mechanism. Insertion of transposons can alter gene functions in multiple ways. They can mutate the gene, alter gene expression by introducing a novel promoter or insulator sequence, introduce new splice sites, and change the mRNA transcripts produced, or remodel chromatin structure.
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...
17.5K
DNA Isolation01:34

DNA Isolation

DNA from cells is required for many biotechnology and research applications, such as molecular cloning. To remove and purify DNA from cells, researchers use various methods of DNA extraction. While the specifics of different protocols may vary, some general concepts underlie the process of DNA extraction.
199.8K
Potential Energy00:52

Potential Energy

The energy stored by a structure and location of matter in space is called potential energy. For instance, raising a kettlebell changes its spatial location and increases its potential energy. Similarly, a stretched rubber band contains potential energy which, under certain conditions, can be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy.
Chemical bonds that form attractive forces between atoms also contain potential energy, called chemical energy. When a chemical reaction...
42.7K
Standard Electrode Potentials03:02

Standard Electrode Potentials

On comparing the reactivity of silver and lead, it is observed that the two ionic species, Ag+ (aq) and Pb2+ (aq), show a difference in their redox reactivity towards copper: the silver ion undergoes spontaneous reduction, while the lead ion does not. This relative redox activity can be easily quantified in electrochemical cells by a property called cell potential. This property is commonly known as cell voltage in electrochemistry, and it is a measure of the energy which accompanies the charge...
50.4K