Different DNA methylation profile is demonstrated in paracoccidioidomycosis patients without oral lesions

Background Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a neglected fungal infection with a high impact on the quality of life of the affected patients. The disease presents primary pulmonary involvement and systemic dissemination may occur. About 50% of the cases show oral involvement, and the factors that lead to this manifestation are not clear. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the DNA methylation profile in PCM patients with oral lesions. Material and Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood of eighteen PCM patients, being ten with oral lesions and eight with no oral lesion. Analysis of methylation profile was performed using the technique of methylation-sensitive arbitrarily primed PCR (MS-AP-PCR). The sequences of recombinant plasmids obtained were evaluated according to parameters that define a CpG island, as well as their relative position in the known human genome genes and/or CpG islands. Results After DNA amplification, three different expressed bands were observed between the two groups, being found in the samples of patients with no oral manifestations. The cloned fragment in the plasmid showed similarity with a DNA sequence present in chromosome 20, next to the YTHDF1 gene. Other bands showed homology with intronic region in the genes RBPMS2 and DPH6 and no CpG island was identified. Conclusions DNA methylation was found in PCM patients with no oral lesion affecting the YTHDF1 gene. Further studies are necessary to elucidate to role of YTHDF1 gene in the oral PCM manifestations.