Figure 1.

Global DNA methylation status and DNA methyltransferase activity during cadmium transformation of human prostate epithelial cells. Cells were grown in the presence or absence of 10 μM of cadmium for up to 10 weeks. (A) DNA methylation in control and exposed cells was determined by the in vitro methyl acceptance capacity of DNA using [³H-methyl]SAM as a methyl donor and a prokaryotic CpG DNA methyltransferase as described in “Materials and Methods.” Arrows indicate the ability of cells to form tumors upon inoculation into Nude mice according our prior work (Achanzar et al. 2001). (B) DNA methyltransferase activity was assayed as described in “Materials and Methods.” Data represent mean ± SE (n = 3).

*Significantly different from control.