Identification of epigenetically silenced genes in human pancreatic cancer by a novel method “microarray coupled with methyl-CpG targeted transcriptional activation” (MeTA-array)

► Our novel method, termed “MeTA-array”, is a powerful tool to identify epigenetically silenced genes in pancreatic cancer cells. ► Sixteen genes, which have not been previously reported to be highly methylated, were reactivated after MeTA. ► Four genes, CSMD2, SLC32A1, TMEM204, and TRH, were aberrantly methylated in pancreatic cancer cell lines. ► Three genes showed significant methylation in a tumor-specific manner also in clinically resected pancreatic cancers.