Downregulation of SM22α protein by hypermethylation of its promoter in colorectal cancer

Silencing of tumor suppressor genes by hypermethylation in gene promoter regions is a crucial mechanism in carcinogenesis. Gene methylation may be reversible and evaluated easily, thus providing a promising substrate for the development of biomarkers for the detection and prevention of cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In the present study, the protein expression and methylation status of smooth muscle protein 22α (SM22α) was investigated in 78 cases of CRC and adjacent normal tissue. The aim of the study was to investigate the function of SM22α in the pathogenesis of CRC and to identify a candidate biomarker for the early detection of CRC. The methylation status of promoter of SM22α gene was detected using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression of SM22α was evaluated using western blot analysis. The results demonstrated a significant decrease of SM22α protein expression in 50 (68.5%) cases of CRC compared with that in adjacent normal tissues (P