Aberrant methylation of the M-type phospholipase A(2) receptor gene in leukemic cells.

Background: The M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R1) plays a crucial role in several signaling pathways and may act as tumor-suppressor. This study examined the expression and methylation of the PLA2R1 gene in Jurkat and U937 leukemic cell lines and its methylation in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute leukemia.

Methods: Sites of methylation of the PLA2R1 locus were identified by sequencing bisulfite-modified DNA fragments.