Epigenetic modifications are a driving force in carcinogenesis. However, their 
role in cancer metastasis remains poorly understood. The present study 
investigated the role of DNA methylation in the cervical cancer metastasis. 
Here, we report evidence of the overexpression of DNA methyltransferases 3B 
(DNMT3B) in invasive cervical cancer and of the inhibition of metastasis by 
DNMT3B interference. Using methyl-DNA immunoprecipitation coupled with 
microarray analysis, we found that the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor 
type R (PTPRR) was silenced through DNMT3B-mediated methylation in the cervical 
cancer. PTPRR inhibited p44/42 MAPK signaling, the expression of the 
transcription factor AP1, human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogenes E6/E7 and DNMTs. 
The methylation status of PTPRR increased in cervical scrapings (n=358) in 
accordance with disease severity, especially in invasive cancer. Methylation of 
the PTPRR promoter has an important role in the metastasis and may be a 
biomarker of invasive cervical cancer.