The promoter aberrant methylation status of TMEM130 is associated with gastric cancer

Background and aims: Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant tumor that seriously affects human health and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) is a molecular subtype of GC. This study aims to determine the relationship between the methylation status of the TMEM130 gene and GC, and to explore the influence of EBV infection.

Methods: qRT-PCR was conducted to investigate the transcriptional expression of TMEM130 in GC. BSP and MSP assays were used to detect the methylation level of the TMEM130 promoter. The cell migration ability was detected by Transwell and western blot after transfection of TMEM130 plasmids in GC cells.

Results: The transcriptional expression of TMEM130 decreased in GC with hypermethylation of the promoter region. The DNA methyltransferase inhibitor could increase the mRNA expression of TMEM130. Moreover, hypermethylation of the TMEM130 promoter in GC tissues was associated with EBV infection. Overexpression of TMEM130 in GC cell lines suppresses cell migration ability.

Conclusion: This study was the first to research the expression and function of TMEM130 and found that TMEM130 gene hypermethylation might contribute to GC migration and EBV infection as a cause of hypermethylation of the TMEM130 gene. TMEM130 is a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of GC.