A DNA hypermethylation module for the stem/progenitor cell signature of cancer

Hariharan Easwaran, Sarah E. Johnstone, Leander Van Neste, Joyce Ohm, Tim Mosbruger, Qiuju Wang, Martin J. Aryee, Patrick Joyce, Nita Ahuja, Dan Weisenberger, Eric Collisson, Jingchun Zhu, Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian, William Matsui, Stephen B. Bayline

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

173 Scopus citations

Abstract

Many DNA-hypermethylated cancer genes are occupied by the Polycomb (PcG) repressor complex in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Their prevalence in the full spectrum of cancers, the exact context of chromatin involved, and their status in adult cell renewal systems are unknown. Using a genome-wide analysis, we demonstrate that ∼75% of hypermethylated genes are marked by PcG in the context of bivalent chromatin in both ESCs and adult stem/progenitor cells. A large number of these genes are key developmental regulators, and a subset, which we call the "DNA hypermethylation module," comprises a portion of the PcG target genes that are down-regulated in cancer. Genes with bivalent chromatin have a low, poised gene transcription state that has been shown to maintain stemness and self-renewal in normal stem cells. However, when DNA-hypermethylated in tumors, we find that these genes are further repressed. We also show that the methylation status of these genes can cluster important subtypes of colon and breast cancers. By evaluating the subsets of genes that are methylated in different cancers with consideration of their chromatin status in ESCs, we provide evidence that DNA hypermethylation preferentially targets the subset of PcG genes that are developmental regulators, and this may contribute to the stem-like state of cancer. Additionally, the capacity for global methylation profiling to cluster tumors by phenotype may have important implications for further refining tumor behavior patterns that may ultimately aid therapeutic interventions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)837-849
Number of pages13
JournalGenome research
Volume22
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics
  • Genetics(clinical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A DNA hypermethylation module for the stem/progenitor cell signature of cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this