Genetic variants in 3'-UTRs of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) predict colorectal cancer susceptibility in Koreans

Sci Rep. 2015 Jun 5:5:11006. doi: 10.1038/srep11006.

Abstract

Polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) play important roles in tumor development, progression, and metastasis. Moreover, recent studies have reported that a number of 3'-UTR polymorphisms potentially bind to specific microRNAs in a variety of cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of four MTHFR polymorphisms, 2572C>A [rs4846049], 4869C>G [rs1537514], 5488C>T [rs3737967], and 6685T>C [rs4846048] with colorectal cancer (CRC) in Koreans. A total of 850 participants (450 CRC patients and 400 controls) were enrolled in the study. The genotyping of MTHFR 3'-UTR polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis or TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. We found that MTHFR 2572C>A, 4869C>G, and 5488C>T genotypes were substantially associated with CRC susceptibility. Of the potentially susceptible polymorphisms, MTHFR 2572C>A was associated with increased homocysteine and decreased folate levels in the plasma based on MTHFR 677CC. Our study provides the evidences for 3'-UTR variants in MTHFR gene as potential biomarkers for use in CRC prevention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Adenocarcinoma / blood
  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Aged
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / blood
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Female
  • Folic Acid / blood
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Homocysteine / blood
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Republic of Korea

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Homocysteine
  • Folic Acid
  • MTHFR protein, human
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)