RTK/ERK pathway under natural selection associated with prostate cancer

PLoS One. 2013 Nov 4;8(11):e78254. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078254. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a global disease causing large numbers of deaths every year. Recent studies have indicated the RTK/ERK pathway might be a key pathway in the development of PCa. However, the exact association and evolution-based mechanism remain unclear. This study was conducted by combining genotypic and phenotypic data from the Chinese Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics (ChinaPCa) with related databases such as the HapMap Project and Genevar. In this analysis, expression of quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) analysis, natural selection and gene-based pathway analysis were involved. The pathway analysis confirmed the positive relationship between PCa risk and several key genes. In addition, combined with the natural selection, it seems that 4 genes (EGFR, ERBB2, PTK2, and RAF1) with five SNPs (rs11238349, rs17172438, rs984654, rs11773818, and rs17172432) especially rs17172432, might be pivotal factors in the development of PCa. The results indicate that the RTK/ERK pathway under natural selection is a key link in PCa risk. The joint effect of the genes and loci with positive selection might be one reason for the development of PCa. Dealing with all the factors simultaneously might give insight into prevention and aid in predicting the success of potential therapies for PCa.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Databases, Genetic
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics*
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / genetics*
  • Quantitative Trait Loci
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics*
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • EGFR protein, human
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 1
  • PTK2 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf

Grants and funding

This study was supported by grants from National Program on Key Basic Research Project (973 Program) (2012CB518303), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81060213, 81272853), Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (2011GXNSFB018100) and Postdoctoral Sustentation Fund of China (2012M511886). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.