Abstract
In our previous research, the formation and development of age-related cataract (ARC) is associated with DNA hypermethylation of some genes in lens epithelial cells (LECs). This study aimed to investigate the expression profile of DNA methylation- and transcriptional repression-associated genes in LECs of ARC. The expression levels of the genes were first evaluated by microarray analysis. The results were further confirmed by Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot assay. The mRNA and protein levels of 5 genes increased in LECs of ARCs compared with the controls. These data provided a global perspective on expression of DNA methylation- and transcriptional repression-associated genes. The study supports the notion that the epigenetic modification of macromolecules in LECs might contribute to ARC pathogenesis.