Undermethylation of the c-myc gene in a rat hepatoma correlates with increased expression of the gene

Abstract

The extent of DNA methylation of the c-myc gene and the levels of c-myc mRNA transcripts have been determined in a rat ascitic hepatoma and in normal adult and fetal liver tissues. The myc gene is undermethylated to a higher extent in the hepatoma and moderately undermethylated in fetal liver compared to adult liver. Higher levels of myc transcripts are present in the hepatoma and fetal liver than in adult liver. Our observation suggests differential activation of myc gene at the transcriptional level in the tumour and in fetal liver.