The analysis of epigenetic events in rat togue carcinogenesis induced by 4-NQO

在4-NQO暴露后32周，在舌鳞癌（SCC）、癌前病变和一些正常上皮中检测到p16启动子的高频率过甲基化。在p16甲基化水平较高的SCC中，检测到蛋白表达缺失。我们的研究结果提示p16启动子高甲基化可能在4-NQO诱导的大鼠舌癌的发展中起重要作用。因此，为了了解人类口腔癌变，4-NQO诱导的口腔癌变模型可能是最有效的表观遗传改变模型。

A high frequency of hepermethylation of p16 promoter was detected in tongue wquamous cell carcinomas(SCC), pre-cancerous lesions and some normal epithelia at 32 weeks from start of 4-NQO exposure. In SCC with higher p16 methylation level, loss of the protein expression was detected. Our results suggest p16 promoter hypermethylation may play an important role in development of 4-NQO induced tongue cancer in rat. Therefore, to understand human oral carcinogenesis, 4-NQO induced oral carcinogenesis model may be the best avalable model for epigenetic alterations.