Basic studies on epigenetic carcinogenesis of low-dose exposure to 1-trichloromethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline (TaClo) in vitro

Renjie Wang, Yi Cui, Yi Xu, Joseph Irudayaraj

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

1-Trichloromethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline (TaClo) has been widely studied as a neurotoxic substance, however, only few reports have explored its effect on carcinogenicity. Since the aberrant modification of DNA methylation occurs very early in almost all human cancers, the focus of this study is to assess the carcinogenicity of TaClo by characterizing alterations of the epigenetic state, specifically, DNA methylation, upon exposure to TaClo in a HEK 293 model cell line. Our results suggest that TaClo could induce global DNA hypomethylation and transcriptional repression of critical tumor suppressor genes by increasing their promoter methylation. Enhanced cell proliferation, migration and anchorage independent growth were observed in cells exposed to TaClo. Our study highlights the epigenetic toxicity of TaClo, which contributes to its carcinogenicity by altering the DNA methylation status.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere0172243
JournalPloS one
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2017
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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