Differential expressions and DNA methylation patterns of lysophosphatidic acid receptor genes in human colon cancer cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), which is a bioactive phospholipid, interacts with specific G protein-coupled transmembrane receptors. Recently, alterations of LPA receptor genes have been reported in some tumor cells. In this study, we examined the expression profiles and DNA methylation status of LPA receptor 1-5 (LPA1-5) genes in human colon cancer cells and also looked for the mutations. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bisulfite sequencing analyses were carried out. While LPA1, LPA2, and LPA4 genes were expressed in DLD1, SW480, HCT116, CaCo-2, SW48, and LoVo cells, the expressions of LPA3 and LPA5 genes were various. These expression levels were correlated with DNA methylation status in the 5' upstream regions of the LPA receptor genes. Mutation analysis was also performed using a PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism method. Although no mutations in LPA1, LPA3 and LPA5 genes were found in all types of cells, LPA2 mutations in DLD1 and SW48 cells, and LPA4 mutation were found in DLD1 cells. On the basis of the present results, we demonstrate that these colon cancer cells will be available to understanding the molecular pathway through LPA receptors in the development of tumor cells, and that LPA receptors may be new molecular targets for therapeutic approaches and chemoprevention.