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Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer
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Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer

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Detection and manipulation of methylation in blood cancer DNA using terahertz radiation

Hwayeong Cheon1, Jin Ho Paik2, Moran Choi3

  • 1Department of Physics, University of Seoul, Seoul, 02504, Republic of Korea.

Scientific Reports
|April 25, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Terahertz radiation can detect and reduce DNA methylation in blood cancer cells at a specific resonance frequency. This epigenetic modification manipulation shows potential for novel cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • DNA methylation is a key epigenetic regulator of gene expression, crucial in cancer development.
  • Aberrant gene expression due to DNA methylation changes is linked to carcinogenesis.
  • Terahertz (THz) radiation's potential in epigenetic modification, specifically DNA demethylation, is being explored for cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and demonstrate a novel technique for detecting and manipulating DNA methylation using terahertz radiation.
  • To investigate the potential of terahertz radiation as an epigenetic inhibitor in blood cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy was used to observe DNA methylation levels in blood cancer cell lines at a characteristic resonance frequency (approx. 1.7 THz).
  • Global DNA methylation quantification was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for cross-validation.
  • High-power terahertz radiation at 1.7 THz was applied to induce DNA demethylation in cancer cell lines.

Main Results:

  • DNA methylation in blood cancer was successfully detected at a terahertz molecular resonance of approximately 1.7 THz.
  • Terahertz radiation induced DNA demethylation in cancer cell lines, with efficacy ranging from 10% to 70% depending on the cell type.
  • Results were validated through cross-checking with ELISA-based global DNA methylation quantification.

Conclusions:

  • Terahertz radiation enables the detection of DNA methylation via molecular resonance.
  • High-power terahertz radiation can manipulate global DNA methylation, inducing demethylation in cancer cells.
  • Terahertz radiation shows promise as a novel epigenetic inhibitor for cancer treatment due to its DNA demethylation capabilities.

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