Comprehensive profiling of DNA methylation in Korean patients with colorectal cancer

BMB Rep. 2024 Feb;57(2):110-115. doi: 10.5483/BMBRep.2023-0093.

Abstract

Alterations in DNA methylation play an important pathophysiological role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. We comprehensively profiled DNA methylation alterations in 165 Korean patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and conducted an in-depth investigation of cancer-specific methylation patterns. Our analysis of the tumor samples revealed a significant presence of hypomethylated probes, primarily within the gene body regions; few hypermethylated sites were observed, which were mostly enriched in promoter-like and CpG island regions. The CpG Island Methylator PhenotypeHigh (CIMP-H) exhibited notable enrichment of microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). Additionally, our findings indicated a significant correlation between methylation of the MLH1 gene and MSI-H status. Furthermore, we found that the CIMP-H had a higher tendency to affect the right-side of the colon tissues and was slightly more prevalent among older patients. Through our methylome profile analysis, we successfully verified the thylation patterns and clinical characteristics of Korean patients with CRC. This valuable dataset lays a strong foundation for exploring novel molecular insights and potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of CRC. [BMB Reports 2024; 57(2): 110-115].

Publication types

  • News

MeSH terms

  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • CpG Islands / genetics
  • DNA Methylation* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Microsatellite Instability
  • Mutation
  • Phenotype
  • Republic of Korea

Grants and funding

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research was supported by the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science & ICT (grant number: NRF-2017M3A9A7050614, NRF-2017M3A9A7050803, and NRF-2017M3A9A7050610). It was additionally supported by a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2020M3A9I6A01036057).