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Title: DNA methylation down-regulates EGFR expression in chicken

Author
item LUO, JUAN - University Of Maryland
item CHANG, SHUANG - Michigan State University
item Zhang, Huanmin
item SONG, JIUZHOU - University Of Maryland

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/24/2012
Publication Date: 6/24/2012
Citation: Luo, J., Chang, S., Zhang, H., Song, J. 2012. DNA methylation down-regulates EGFR expression in chicken [Abstract]. 9th International Symposium on Marek's Disease and Avian Herpesviruses, June 24-28, 2012, Freie Universitat Berlin. p. 23.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a growth-factor-receptor tyrosine kinase, was found up-regulated in numerous tumors, which provides a good target for cancer therapy. Although it was documented that oncoviruses are responsible for the activation of EGFR in tumors, the impact of Marek’s disease virus (MDV) infection of chickens on EGFR yet remains poorly understood. In this study, we found that EGFR expression was significantly down-regulated by MDV infection. Meanwhile, we also found that the DNA methylation level of EGFR promoter region was significantly increased in MDV-infected chickens. These findings suggested that DNA methylation regulates EGFR repression as do in many other genes reportedly. Furthermore, an in vitro methylation assay was conducted to verify the repression of EGFR promoter activity by DNA hypermethylation. The data were mutually supportive of each other.