The DNA repair gene Ku70 plays a key role in the DNA double strand break (DSB) repair system. Defects in DSB repair capacity can lead to genomic instability. We hypothesized that the Ku70 C-1310G polymorphism (rs2267437) was associated with risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We genotyped the Ku70 C-1310G polymorphism in a case-control study of 620 patients and 623 controls in a Chinese population and assessed the effects of C-1310G polymorphism on RCC susceptibility and survival. We then examined the functionality of this polymorphism. Compared with the Ku70-1310CC genotype, the CG and CG/GG genotypes had a significantly increased risk of RCC [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-1.87 for CG and OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.16-1.86 for CG/GG]. However, the C-1310G polymorphism did not influence the survival of RCC. The in vivo experiments with normal renal tissues revealed statistically significantly lower Ku70 mRNA expression in samples with CG/GG genotypes relative to those with the CC genotype (P < 0.05). In vitro luciferase assays in various cell lines showed lower luciferase activity for the -1310G allele than for the -1310C allele. These results suggest that the Ku70 C-1310G polymorphism is involved in the etiology of RCC and thus may be a marker for genetic susceptibility to RCC in Chinese populations. Larger studies are warranted to validate our findings.
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