High methylation of the 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase gene predicts a poor prognosis in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

Zhao,Guangjie; Li,Nianyi; Li,Shuang; Wu,Wanling; Wang,Xiaoqin; Gu,Jingwen

doi:10.3892/ijo.2018.4652

High methylation of the 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase gene predicts a poor prognosis in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

Authors:
- Guangjie Zhao
- Nianyi Li
- Shuang Li
- Wanling Wu
- Xiaoqin Wang
- Jingwen Gu
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Affiliations: Department of Haematology, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China, Worldwide Medical Center, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
Published online on: December 4, 2018 https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2018.4652
Pages: 491-504
Copyright: © Zhao et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

In our previous study, the 4‑aminobutyrate aminotransferase (ABAT) gene was screened and selected as a target gene that may affect the prognosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The present study aimed to determine the prognostic value of ABAT in 152 patients with MDS, 29 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 40 controls, by detecting the expression and methylation levels of the ABAT gene. In patients with MDS, the expression levels of ABAT were significantly reduced compared with in the controls (P<0.0001), and the degree of DNA methylation was increased in MDS subjects (P<0.0001). Age, hemoglobin level, marrow blasts, International Prognostic Scoring System karyotype, and the expression and methylation levels of ABAT were associated with overall survival (OS), as determined by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age, higher marrow blasts and higher methylation percentage were independent risk factors for OS. In addition, a functional study demonstrated that ABAT gene silencing increased cell apoptosis and blocked the G1/S phase in SKM‑1 and THP‑1 human leukemia cells. A γ‑aminobutyrate aminotransferase inhibitor also blocked the G1/S phase; however, it had no effect on cell apoptosis. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that ABAT methylation served an essential role in the progression of MDS and therefore may be considered an indicator of poor prognosis for hematological malignancies.

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