ANALYSIS OF P27KIP1 PROMOTER METHYLATION IN PATIENTS WITH ULCERATIVE COLITIS

The CDK inhibitor (CDKI) protein p27kip1 (p27) negatively regulates cyclin D–
CDK4 complex in the G1 phase. Alterations in the expression of p27 kip1 cause a degradation of cell
growth and promote the development of various diseases. Aberrant methylation patterns have been
reported in large number of diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the methylation pattern
of p27 kip1 gene promoter in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and normal subjects.
Materials & Methods: Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was performed on 230 normal controls and
125 samples of patients with UC. Statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc software.
Results: The p27kip1 promoter was methylated in 16.8% (21/125) of UC and in 4.8% (11/230) of normal
samples. The difference in p27 kip1 methylation between the UC and normal groups was statistically
significant (P<0.05). Significant risk of UC development was observed in individuals with methylated
p27 kip1 promoter (OR = 4.02, 95% CI = 1.86–8.64). p27 kip1 methylation was also associated with an
extensive form of UC (P=0.02).
Conclusion: Methylation of p27kip1 may contribute to UC development. However, further studies with
larger sample sizes are needed to confirm this result