Investigation of the Profile Promotor Methylation of the E-Cadherin Gene in Patients with Pterygium

Abstract

Pterygium is one of the most controversial ocular diseases whose pathology is not yet known. Although it is defined as a benign lesion, it behaves similar to tumor formation due to epithelial and fibrovascular overgrowth on the ocular surface. DNA methylation of specific genes as an epigenetic regulatory mechanism plays critical roles in the pathogenesis, progression, diagnosis, and treatment of many cancers. The E-cadherin gene is involved in cell metabolism and is known to be associated with multiple tumor malignancies. In this study, we evaluated the possible relationship of the E-cadherin gene methylation profile with pterygium. E-cadherin gene promoter methylation profile was determined using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) method in tissue samples of a total of 36 patients with pterygium. According to the data obtained, the percentage of methylation of the E-cadherin gene in tissues with pterygium was statistically significant compared to the control group (p<0,005). Methylation in the E-cadherin gene is thought to be related to pterygium formation and development.

Keywords

• Pterygium
• E-Cadherin
• MSP
• DNA methylation

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