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Updated: Jan 27, 2026
21:24
Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation
Published on: January 2, 2009
24.2K
DNA methylation among firefighters
Jin Zhou1, Timothy G Jenkins2, Alesia M Jung1
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America.
Plos One
|March 27, 2019
Summary
Firefighter occupational exposures may alter DNA methylation, potentially increasing cancer risk. This study identified specific DNA methylation changes and pathways linked to firefighter status and service duration.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Epigenetics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Firefighters face occupational carcinogen exposure.
- Elevated cancer incidence is observed in the firefighting profession.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate DNA methylation changes in firefighters due to occupational exposures.
- To identify cancer-related pathways affected by these epigenetic alterations.
Main Methods:
- Collected peripheral blood from 45 incumbent and 41 new recruit male firefighters.
- Analyzed DNA methylation using an Illumina Methylation EPIC 850k chip.
- Performed genome-wide differential methylation analysis, prediction modeling, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA).
Main Results:
- Identified four differentially methylated CpGs, including in YIPF6, MPST, and PCED1B genes.
- Genome-wide methylation accurately predicted firefighter status and years of service.
- IPA highlighted Sirtuin signaling, p53 signaling, and AMPK signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- DNA methylation patterns in firefighters may indicate cellular mechanisms contributing to cancer risk.
- Epigenetic modifications are associated with occupational exposures in this cohort.
- Findings suggest potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for firefighter cancer prevention.
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