A polymorphism at the microRNA binding site in the 3′-untranslated region of C14orf101 is associated with the risk of gastric cancer development

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) bind to the 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) of mRNAs, affecting translation and regulating cell differentiation, tumorigenesis and apoptosis. Genetic polymorphisms in these regions in target genes are able to affect the binding affinity between miRNA and target genes, ultimately affecting the expression of individual miRNAs. In the present case-control study, genotyping of 5 microRNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located at the binding site of the 3'-UTR of <i>RYR3</i> (rs1044129), <i>C14orf101</i> (rs4901706), <i>KIAA0423</i> (rs1053667), <i>GOLGA7</i> (rs11337) and <i>KRT81</i> (rs3660) genes was assessed in order to investigate its role in gastric cancer (GC). The results indicated that the rs4901706 SNP, which is located in the 3'-UTR of <i>C14orf101</i>, was associated with GC development risk, as determined by χ² analysis (relative risk, 1.630; 95% confidence interval, 1.070-2.483; P=0.022). A <i>Renilla</i>/luciferase reporter assay also indicated the different binding affinity between the SNP of rs4901706 and microRNA. In conclusion, rs4901706 SNP of <i>C14orf101</i> gene in the microRNA binding site may be used as a valuable biomarker when predicting GC risk.