Hypermethylation-mediated reduction of LMX1A expression in gastric cancer

Abstract

LMX1A is epigenetically inactivated in cervical cancer. However, the expression and methylation status of LMX1A in gastric cancer tissues remains unknown. In the present study, we found that the expression of LMX1A was significantly decreased in gastric cancer tissues compared with normal tissues. A statistically significant inverse association was found between the LMX1A methylation status and expression of LMX1A in tumor tissues (P=0.008). Restoration of LMX1A induced cell apoptosis and suppressed anchorage-independent growth, suggesting LMX1A may be a potential biomarker for gastric cancer. © 2010 Japanese Cancer Association.