Abstract:

To examine the mRNA expression levels of the p15 gene and the methylation status of its promoter region in the bone marrow of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and to explore the correlation between p15 gene methylation and pathogenesis, and development of MDS. MethodsMethylationspecific PCR (MSPCR) was employed to detect the methylation status of the p15 gene promoter region in the bone marrow of 32 patients with MDS. Expression levels of p15 mRNA was also determined by reverse transcription PCR (RTPCR). Results14 cases were found to have an increased methylation in the promoter region, especially in patients with high risk MDS. The P15 mRNA level was significantly decreased in patients with MDS（P＜0.05）. A significant correlation existed between p15 methylation and mRNA decrease（P＜0.05）. ConclusionHypermethylation of the p15 promoter region might contribute to the loss of expression of p15 mRNA in MDS. The hypermethylation of the p15 gene promoter region is closely related to the pathogenesis of MDS.

Key words: Gene, p15; DNA Methylation; CpG Islands; Myelodysplastic syndromes