Animals ; DNA Methylation ; DNA-Cytosine Methylases ; chemistry ; metabolism ; physiology ; Embryonic Development ; physiology ; Humans ; Mice ; Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific) ; chemistry ; metabolism ; physiology

In contrast to the well-established genomic 5-methylcytosine (5mC), the existence of N⁶-methyladenine (6 mA) in eukaryotic genomes was discovered only recently. Initial studies found that it was actively regulated in cancer cells, suggesting its involvement in the process of carcinogenesis. However, the contribution of 6 mA in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) still remains uncharacterized. In this study, a pan-cancer type analysis was first performed, which revealed enhanced 6 mA metabolism in diverse cancer types. The study was then focused on the regulation of 6 mA metabolism, as well as its effects on TSCC cells. To these aspects, genome 6 mA level was found greatly increased in TSCC tissues and cultured cells. By knocking down 6 mA methylases N6AMT1 and METTL4, the level of genomic 6 mA was decreased in TSCC cells. This led to suppressed colony formation and cell migration. By contrast, knockdown of 6 mA demethylase ALKBH1 resulted in an increased 6 mA level, enhanced colony formation, and cell migration. Further study suggested that regulation of the NF-κB pathway might contribute to the enhanced migration of TSCC cells. Therefore, in the case of TSCC, we have shown that genomic 6 mA modification is involved in the proliferation and migration of cancer cells.
AlkB Homolog 1, Histone H2a Dioxygenase/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific)/metabolism* ; Tongue Neoplasms/metabolism*

OBJECTIVESince males are at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases than females, the aim of the study was to examine whether there is an association between BP and a polymorphic Hind III biallelic marker in nonrecombining region of Y chromosome in essential hypertension in Tangshan district in China.

METHODSIn the study, 225 patients with essential hypertension and 187 healthy people were enrolled into this study as control group. DNA was extracted from white blood cell. Segments of polymorphic Hind III restriction site of the Y chromosome were amplified from DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products were restricted with 10 U of Hind III for a night at 37 degrees C. The digested products were subjected to electrophoresis in 3% agarose gels, and stained with ethidium bromide.

RESULTSWe amplified 178 controls (95.2%) and 216 essential hypertensive patients (96.0%) successfully. Hind III(-) genotype was found in 45.8% of the men in essential hypertension and in 32.0% of the men in the controlled group. The Hind III(-) genotype was significantly higher than that in the controls (chi2 = 7.782, P = 0.007). However, the Hind III(+) genotype was lower in SBP (133.16 mm Hg +/- 21.60 mm Hg vs. 143.58 mm Hg +/- 24.16 mm Hg, P < 0.001), DBP (82.82 mm Hg +/- 11.72 mm Hg vs. 86.82 mm Hg +/- 12.65 mm Hg, P = 0.001), pulse pressure (50.34 mm Hg +/- 14.31 mm Hg vs. 56.76 mm Hg +/- 14.20 mm Hg, P < 0.001) and mean arterial pressure (99.59 mm Hg +/- 14.19 mm Hg vs. 105.74 mm Hg +/- 15.31 mm Hg, P < 0.001) than the Hind III(-) genotype.

CONCLUSIONPolymorphic Hind III restriction site of the Y chromosome seemed to be associated with essential hypertension in Tangshan district in China.

Case-Control Studies ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific) ; metabolism