BACKGROUND: Calcium is an important intracellular messenger that mediates many biological processes that are relevant to the
malignant process. Calcium ion channels are key in controlling the intracellular calcium, and little is known about their role in human
cancer.
METHODS: We used qPCR and pyrosequencing to investigate expression and epigenetic regulation of the calcium channel regulatory
subunit a2d-3 (CACNA2D3) in breast cancer cell lines, primary cancers and metastatic lesions.
RESULTS: Expression of CACNA2D3 mRNA is regulated in breast cancer cell lines by methylation in the CpG island located in the
50 regulatory region of the gene. Expression is upregulated by azacytidine (AZA) in cells with CpG island methylation but unaffected
in cells lacking methylation. In primary breast carcinomas, methylation is more common in cancers, which subsequently relapse
with loco-regional and, particularly, visceral metastatic disease in both oestrogen receptor-a (ER)-positive and -negative cases.
Furthermore, CACNA2D3 CpG island is frequently methylated in breast cancer that has metastasised to the central nervous system.
CONCLUSION: Methylation-dependent transcriptional silencing of CACNA2D3 may contribute to the metastatic phenotype of breast
cancer. Analysis of methylation in the CACNA2D3 CpG island may have potential as a biomarker for risk of development of
metastatic disease.