Background & Aims: The CDK inhibitor (CDKI) protein p27
kip1 (p27) negatively regulates cyclin D–CDK4 complex in the G1 phase. Alterations in the expression of p27
kip1 cause a degradation of cell growth and promote the development of various diseases. Aberrant methylation patterns have been reported in large number of diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the methylation pattern of p27
kip1 gene promoter in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and normal subjects.
Materials & Methods: Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was performed on 230 normal controls and 125 samples of patients with UC. Statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc software.
Results: The p27
kip1 promoter was methylated in 16.8% (21/125) of UC and in 4.8% (11/230) of normal samples. The difference in p27
kip1 methylation between the UC and normal groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Significant risk of UC development was observed in individuals with methylated p27
kip1 promoter (OR = 4.02, 95% CI = 1.86–8.64). p27
kip1 methylation was also associated with an extensive form of UC (P=0.02).
Conclusion: Methylation of p27
kip1 may contribute to UC development. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm this result.