Objective     To explore the pathogenesis-related imprinted genes in osteosarcoma and investigate the role of imprinted genes expression in osteosarcoma pathogenesis.      Methods     The model of malignant transformed immortalized human osteoblastic cells was established and the malignant transformed cells were collected on day 40

55

70

90. The untreated cells passaged from the normal cells on day 90 served as control. After the total RNA extraction

the finally synthesized biotinylated cDNAs were hybridized to CapitalBio Genechip CAP-F0017.2 of the differentially expressed genes. Two genes were chosen at random to further confirm the array results using the SYBR Green real-time PCR in samples of control

day 40 and day 90.        Results     By an entrance limit of ≥2.0 or ≤0.5

ten imprinted genes which biological functions are mainly related with cell growth/maintenance and signaling transduction were detectable for notablely differential expression

including down-regulated genes of CD81

GRB10

NDN

MEST and up-regulated genes of H19

MKRN3

SLC22A1L

TSSC3

CDKN1C in the malignant transformation of immortalized human osteoblastic cells. The array results were further confirmed by the real-time RT-PCR.       Conclusion     Ten imprinted genes were detectable for notablely differential expression. Our results will promote our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of imprinted genes in the course of osteosarcoma pathogenesis.