A genetic variant in the promoter region of miR-34b/c is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer

Biol Chem. 2013 Mar;394(3):415-20. doi: 10.1515/hsz-2012-0297.

Abstract

The miR-34 family members, described as potential tumor suppressors, were downregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC). Loss of miR-34 impairs TP53-mediated cell death, while overexpression of miR-34 induces apoptosis. A potentially functional polymorphism (i.e., rs4938723T/C) in the promoter region of pri-miR-34b/c was predicted to influence the GATA-X binding sites. We aimed to investigate the association between miR-34b/c rs4938723 and TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphisms and the risk of CRC. We genotyped the two polymorphisms in 347 CRC patients and 488 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing assay. We found that the CC genotype and C allele of the miR-34b/c rs4938723 were associated with a significantly decreased risk of CRC compared with the TT genotype and T allele (CC vs. TT: adjusted OR=0.56; 95% CI, 0.34-0.91; C vs. T: adjusted OR=0.78; 95% CI, 0.64-0.97). In combined analysis, a borderline significance was also observed in subjects carrying the rs4938723 CT/CC and TP53 GG genotypes (adjusted OR=0.66; 95% CI, 0.43-0.99). These findings indicate that the rs4938723 in the promoter region of pri-miR-34b/c was a protective factor for the development of CRC. As the significance is marginal, further replication studies are warranted to confirm these results.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics*

Substances

  • MIRN34 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs