Semenogelin I expression in myeloma cells can be upregulated pharmacologically

Semenogelin (SEMG) I is a Cancer-Testis (CT) antigen that we have found to be expressed in myeloma cells. In this study, we set out to determine whether the expression of SEMG I could be upregulated pharmacologically. We found that SEMG I expression in myeloma cells can be upregulated by 5-azacytidine, IL-4 and IL-6. The mechanisms of SEMG I gene upregulation by 5-azacytidine is unclear since there was no correlation between the methylation of the single CpG dinucleotide at position −11 and SEMG I expression. Both IL-4 and IL-6 appeared to enhance SEMG I expression through increasing its promoter function.