Epigenomic analysis detects widespread gene-body DNA hypomethylation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Nat Genet. 2012 Nov;44(11):1236-42. doi: 10.1038/ng.2443. Epub 2012 Oct 14.

Abstract

We have extensively characterized the DNA methylomes of 139 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with mutated or unmutated IGHV and of several mature B-cell subpopulations through the use of whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and high-density microarrays. The two molecular subtypes of CLL have differing DNA methylomes that seem to represent epigenetic imprints from distinct normal B-cell subpopulations. DNA hypomethylation in the gene body, targeting mostly enhancer sites, was the most frequent difference between naive and memory B cells and between the two molecular subtypes of CLL and normal B cells. Although DNA methylation and gene expression were poorly correlated, we identified gene-body CpG dinucleotides whose methylation was positively or negatively associated with expression. We have also recognized a DNA methylation signature that distinguishes new clinico-biological subtypes of CLL. We propose an epigenomic scenario in which differential methylation in the gene body may have functional and clinical implications in leukemogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alternative Splicing
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • CpG Islands / genetics
  • DNA Methylation / genetics*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genome, Human
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / genetics*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged