DNA methylation changes in promoter region of CDKN2A gene in workers exposed in construction environment

摘要

Purpose Construction workers are exposed to a mixture of substances in the workplace considered carcinogenic. This study aimed to characterise gene-specific changes in DNA methylation over the workweek in this population as this type of environmental exposure has not been studied extensively. Materials and methods We evaluated their DNA methylation in 4 gene-promoter regions (CDKN2A, RASSF1A, MLH1andAPC) and 2 repeat elements (ALUandLINE-1) in blood samples obtained on the first and fifth day of the same workweek of a group of 39 male construction workers. DNA methylation was measured by bisulphite-PCR-Pyrosequencing. We also measured the levels of trace elements in the whole blood by ICP-MS. Results Only theCDKN2Agene had significant differences in the average methylation level between the first and fifth day of the workweek. We also observed that the levels of Cu, Pb, Se, Mn, and Ti decreased during the fifth day of exposure, and only lead, titanium and copper showed a low significant correlation with the methylation level mean for three specific CpG sites of theCDKN2A. Conclusions In summary, the data suggest that altered levels ofCDKN2Amethylation in construction workers may be a potential biomarker of recent exposure in this environment.