Methylation of AKAP12 alpha Promoter in Lung Cancer

Abstract

AKAP12 alpha plays an important role in tumour growth suppression by inducing apoptosis. This study investigated whether the promoter methylation of AKAP12 alpha is associated with lung cancer. AKAP12 alpha was down-regulated in lung cancer cells and the reduced protein expression was restored by DNA methyl-transferase inhibitor. AKAP12 alpha promoter was more frequently methylated in tumours than in normal tissues. Furthermore, AKAP12 alpha methylation was found more frequently in the cells of non-relapse patients after surgery than in those of early relapse patients. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that AKAP12 alpha expression is regulated by DNA methylation and that AKAP12 alpha promoter methylation is associated with lung cancer prognosis.