Identification of genes up-regulated by histone deacetylase inhibition with cDNA microarray and exploration of epigenetic alterations on hepatoma cells

Background/Aims Epigenetics is the key factor in the regulation of gene expression. We conducted cDNA microarray analysis to screen for genes induced by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition and examined epigenetic alterations. Methods Microarray analysis was performed in six hepatoma cell lines and primary hepatocytes treated with trichostatin A (TSA). mRNA expression of several genes was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in TSA-treated cells and hepatoma samples. Acetylated histones and methylation status in 5′CpG islands was assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and bisulfite genomic sequencing, respectively. Results Fifty-seven genes showed greater than 2-fold change after TSA treatment in multiple cell lines. Among them, four genes including p21WAF1 exhibited substantial induction (greater than 5-fold changes). Decreased mRNA levels of these genes in hepatoma tissues were observed in more than half of patients. ChIP assay, in general, demonstrated a good correlation between mRNA expression and histone acetylation, but only a limited correlation with the methylated DNA in the promoter region. Conclusions We identified 57 up-regulated genes by TSA treatment in hepatoma cells and some of them appeared to be cancer-related genes in hepatomas. The alterations in acetylated histones are likely closely associated with gene expression.