Individual and joint effects of genetic polymorphisms in microRNA-machinery genes on congenital heart disease susceptibility

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in miRNA-machinery genes may alter the biogenesis of miRNAs affecting disease susceptibility. In this case-control study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (DICER rs1057035, DROSHA rs10719, and XPO5 rs11077) and their combined effect in a genetic risk score model on congenital heart disease (CHD) risk. A total of 639 participants was recruited, including 125 patients with CHD (65 males; age 9.2 ± 10 years) and 514 healthy controls (289 males; age 15.8 ± 18 years). Genotyping of polymorphisms in miRNA-machinery genes was performed using a TaqMan®SNP genotyping assay. A genetic risk score was calculated by summing the number of risk alleles of selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms. There was a significantly increased risk of CHD in patients with XPO5 rs11077 CC genotype as compared to AC heterozygote and AA homozygote patients (ORadjusted = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1-2.8; p = 0.018). A clear tendency to significance was also found for DROSHA rs10719 AA genotype and CHD risk for both codominant and recessive models (ORadjusted = 1.8; 95% CI: 0.91-3.8; p = 0.09 and ORadjusted = 1.9; 95% CI: 0.92-4; p = 0.08, respectively). The resulting genetic risk score predicted a 1.73 risk for CHD per risk allele (95% CI: 1.2-2.5; p = 0.002). Subjects in the top tertile of genetic risk score were estimated to have more than three-fold increased risk of CHD compared with those in the bottom tertile (ORadjusted = 3.52; 95% CI: 1.4-9; p = 0.009). Our findings show that the genetic variants in miRNA-machinery genes might participate in the development of CHD.

Association between genetic variants in DICER1 and cancer risk: An updated meta-analysis

Dysfunctions in mechanisms of gene regulation based on RNA interference are recognized as a common feature of the molecular basis of cancer pathogenesis. Therefore, as one of the crucial components of the machinery involved in the biogenesis of both siRNAs and microRNA molecules, DICER was recognized as one of the candidates for the research in the field of carcinogenesis. Due to their potential functional properties, several genetic variants located within DICER1 gene were analyzed for their possible association with the susceptibility to cancer through case-control studies. In order to elucidate their effect on the overall cancer risk, we conducted an updated meta-analysis of all eligible association studies. The publications were selected based on PubMed database search, while OpenMeta-analyst and MetaGenyo software were used for quantitative data synthesis. Statistically significant results were found for the association of rs1057035 with the overall cancer risk under multiple genetic models (P_{CT vs. TT} < 0.001, OR_{CT vs. TT} = 0.870, 95% CI = 0.812-0.933; P_allelic = 0.009, OR_allelic = 0.896, 95% CI = 0.825-0.973; P_dom < 0.001, OR_dom = 0.874, 95% CI = 0.817-0.934; P_overdom = 0.004, OR_overdom = 0.858, 95% CI = 0.773-0.953). Other selected genetic variants within DICER1, rs13078, rs1209904 and rs3742330, did not show the association with the overall susceptibility to malignant diseases. We conclude that rs1057035 may represent a potential biomarker associated with the risk of developing cancer, which requires a confirmation in a larger set of studies.

The effects of DICER1 and DROSHA polymorphisms on susceptibility to recurrent spontaneous abortion

Background

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a serious problem in pregnancy. The exact etiology of RSA is unknown in more than 50% of all the patients. However, genetic variations are known as susceptibility factors for idiopathic RSA. Considering the role of miRNA biosynthesis machinery in the miRNA production and effect of miRNAs on various diseases, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of DICER1 rs3742330 and DROSHA rs6877842 polymorphisms on RSA risk.

Methods

In this case‐control study, 150 RSA patients and 195 age‐matched healthy female controls were recruited. Both polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR‐RFLP method.

Results

The frequency of DICER1 rs3742330AG genotype was higher in the control group (P = .022). There was a statistically significant association between rs3742330 polymorphism and a reduced RSA risk in dominant and allelic models (P = .013 and P = .007, respectively). No statistically significant association was found between DROSHA rs6877842 variant and RSA risk. The combination of AG and GC genotypes and G‐G alleles of DICER1 rs3742330 and DROSHA rs6877842 polymorphisms led to a decreased RSA risk. However, the synergic effect of rs3742330A and rs6877842G alleles (A‐G) and AA‐GG genotypes was associated with an increased RSA risk.

Conclusion

the DICER1 rs3742330AG genotype and combination of AG and GC genotypes and G‐G alleles of DICER1 rs3742330 and DROSHA rs6877842 polymorphisms were associated with a reduced RSA risk.

Breast Cancer and miR-SNPs: The Importance of miR Germ-Line Genetics

Recent studies in cancer diagnostics have identified microRNAs (miRNAs) as promising cancer biomarkers. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA binding sites, seed regions, and coding sequences can help predict breast cancer risk, aggressiveness, response to stimuli, and prognosis. This review also documents significant known miR-SNPs in miRNA biogenesis genes and their effects on gene regulation in breast cancer, taking into account the genetic background and ethnicity of the sampled populations. When applicable, miR-SNPs are evaluated in the context of other patient factors, including mutations, hormonal status, and demographics. Given the power of miR-SNPs to predict patient cancer risk, prognosis, and outcomes, further study of miR-SNPs is warranted to improve efforts towards personalized medicine.

MicroRNA biogenesis pathway genes polymorphisms and cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may promote the development and progression of human cancers. Therefore, components of the miRNA biogenesis pathway may play critical roles in human cancer. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or mutations in genes involved in the miRNA biogenesis pathway may alter levels of gene expression, affecting disease susceptibility. Results of previous studies on genetic variants in the miRNA biogenesis pathway and cancer risk were inconsistent. Therefore, a meta-analysis is needed to assess the associations of these genetic variants with human cancer risk. We searched for relevant articles from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and CBM through Jun 21, 2016. In total, 21 case-control articles met all of the inclusion criteria for the study. Significant associations were observed between cancer risk and the DGCR8polymorphism rs417309 G >A (OR 1.22, 95% CI [1.04-1.42]), as well as the DICER1 polymorphism rs1057035 TT (OR 1.13, 95% CI [1.05-1.22]). These SNPs exhibit high potential as novel diagnostic markers. Future studies with larger sample sizes and more refined analyses are needed to shed more light on these findings.