Suppression of lysyl oxidase gene expression by methylation in pelvic organ prolapse.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

We measured promoter methylation in the LOX gene in women with pelvic organ prolapse and in women without prolapse.

METHODS

Genomic DNA was isolated from the uterosacral ligaments of eight women with prolapse and eight women without prolapse as controls. Genomic DNA was digested with BamHI and underwent sodium bisulfite modification. The LOX gene promoter region of -246 to +74 was then amplified by PCR, cloned into PCR2.1-TOPO and transformed into an Escherichia coli DH5alpha strain. Amplified plasmid DNA samples containing the LOX gene promoter region from each woman were sequenced and methylated CpG islands were identified by sequence comparison.

RESULTS

A total of 66 methylated CpG sites were found in the group of patients with prolapse, while only one methylated CpG site was found in the non-prolapse control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Methylation in the promoter region may suppress LOX gene expression in women with pelvic organ prolapse.