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AIM: To investigate the effects of DNA methylation on the expression of tumor suppressor genes and proto-oncogene in human colon cancer cell lines.METHODS: Three colon cancer cell lines (HT-29, SW1116and Colo-320) treated with different concentrations of DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC)were used to induce DNA demethylation. The expressions of p16INK4A, p21WAF1, APC and c-myc genes were observed by using RT-PCR. The methylation status of p161NK4A promoter in HT-29 cells was also determined by methylation-specific PGR (MSP).RESULTS: Weak expressions of p16INK4A and APC in the three colon cancer cells were detected, and p21WAF1 expression was not found in SW1116 and Colo-320 ceils before treatment. After treatment of 1μmol/L but not 10 μmol/L of 5-aza-dC, the methylation level of p16INK4A gene promoter decreased significantly, and the hypomethylation led to the up-regulation of p16INK4A gene transcription in HT-29 cells.In the cell lines of SW1116 and Colo-320, p16INK4A and APC mRNA expressions were obviously enhanced after treatment of either 10 μmol/L or 5 μmol/L 5-aza-dC for 24 h. However,no evidence was found that methylation regulated the expression of p21WAF1 and c-mycgenes in human colon cancer cell lines.CONCLUSION: Expression of p16INK4A and APC genes is regulated by DNA methylation in three human colon cancer cell lines.