5-aza-CdR induces the demethylation of Syk promoter in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell

The present study employed 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-1, CNE-2 and non-cancerous human nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line NP-69 to understand the effects on spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) gene promoter methylation. The results showed that the methylation level of Syk gene is negatively associated with the differentiation level of the cell lines, and the 5-aza-CdR treatment decreased the methylation level in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines. Additionally, the drug sensitivity of low-differentiated cell line was significantly higher than the high-differentiated cell line. In conclusion, the Syk gene promoter methylation reflects the cell differentiation status, and 5-aza-CdR treatment could induce the demethylation of Syk gene promoter. ► 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) was used to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. ► The study looked at the Syk gene promoter methylation after the treatment. ► In nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines, the methylation status is high. ► This decreased the promoter methylation and increased the Syk gene expression.