Figure 2. Analysis of germline gene expression in response to epigenetic de-regulation in SW480 human colorectal cancer cells.
The analysis of expression of a number of germline genes is shown. The agarose gels show RT-PCR products for nine germline genes, including two control germline genes (GAGE1 and SSX2) and the βACT gene as a quality control marker. All germline genes are normally expressed in the testis tissue, but silenced in untreated SW480. The SW480 cells were treated with ranges of concentrations of the epigenetic activators 5-aza-CdR (left hand column) and TSA (right hand column). dH2O replaced cDNA as a negative control. Gene names are provided to the left of the agarose gel images and the chromosomal location of each germline gene is given in parentheses. The specific concentrations of 5-aza-CdR and TSA are given above the appropriate lane.