Thrombospondin-4 is a putative tumour-suppressor gene in colorectal cancer that exhibits age-related methylation.

Background: Thrombospondin-4 (THBS4) is a member of the extracellular calcium-binding protein family and is involved in cell adhesion and migration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of deregulation of THBS4 expression in colorectal carcinogenesis. Of particular interest was the possible silencing of expression by methylation of the CpG island in the gene promoter.

DNA methylation in the rectal mucosa is associated with crypt proliferation and fecal short-chain fatty acids.

Background: DNA methylation varies throughout the normal colorectal mucosa and DNA methylation in normal appearing mucosa is associated with serrated and adenomatous neoplasia elsewhere within the colorectum.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to measure luminal chemistry, rectal proliferation and mucosal DNA methylation and thus determine whether regional and pathological patterns of DNA methylation could be explained by luminal and epithelial factors.

Methods: Twenty healthy subjects had normal rectal mucosal biopsies and a 24-h fecal collection.