Alu siRNA to increase Alu element methylation and prevent DNA damage

Abstract

Global DNA hypomethylation promoting genomic instability leads to cancer and deterioration of human health with age. Aim: To invent a biotechnology that can reprogram this process. Methods: We used Alu siRNA to direct Alu interspersed repetitive sequences methylation in human cells. We evaluated the correlation between DNA damage and Alu methylation levels. Results: We observed an inverse correlation between Alu element methylation and endogenous DNA damage in white blood cells. Cells transfected with Alu siRNA exhibited high Alu methylation levels, increased proliferation, reduced endogenous DNA damage and improved resistance to DNA damaging agents. Conclusion: Alu methylation stabilizes the genome by preventing accumulation of DNA damage. Alu siRNA could be useful for evaluating reprograming of the global hypomethylation phenotype in cancer and aging cells.