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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

A Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Sporadic Colorectal Cancer
Published on: July 6, 2017
Epigenetic modifications but not genetic polymorphisms regulate KEAP1 expression in colorectal cancer
Linbo Gao1,2,3, Fang Yuan1, Guanglu Che4
1Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
Genetic variations and epigenetic changes in the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) gene influence colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. KEAP1 promoter hypermethylation leads to decreased KEAP1 expression, impacting the KEAP1-NRF2 pathway and CRC susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) negatively regulates the nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2 (NRF2) signaling pathway, which is implicated in tumorigenesis.
- Polymorphisms and promoter methylation of KEAP1 may affect its expression and influence cancer susceptibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between KEAP1-NRF2 pathway interactions and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk.
- To analyze the impact of KEAP1 gene polymorphisms and epigenetic modifications on CRC susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of NRF2 and KEAP1 polymorphisms using multiplex ligase detection reaction assay.
- Analysis of KEAP1 promoter methylation and histone modification via bisulfite genome sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP).
- In vitro methylation assays to assess transcriptional activity.
Main Results:
- The KEAP1 rs1048290 CC genotype and C allele were linked to increased CRC risk.
- Specific KEAP1-NRF2 interaction polymorphisms (rs6721961, rs35652124, rs1048290, rs11545829) conferred CRC susceptibility.
- KEAP1 promoter hypermethylation correlated with reduced KEAP1 mRNA levels; epigenetic modifications reversed this effect.
Conclusions:
- The KEAP1-NRF2 pathway plays a role in CRC risk.
- Epigenetic modifications, particularly promoter hypermethylation, contribute to KEAP1 downregulation and may impact CRC development.
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