Genetic polymorphisms of the DNA repair gene MPG may be associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease and can lead to deformities and severe disabilities, due to irreversible damage of tendons, joints, and bones. A previous study indicated that a DNA repair system was involved in the development of RA. In this study, we investigated the association of four N-methylpurine-DNA glycosylase (MPG) gene polymorphisms (rs3176364, rs710079, rs2858056, and rs2541632) with susceptibility to RA in 384 Taiwanese individuals (192 RA patients and 192 control subjects). Our data show a statistically significant difference in genotype frequency distributions at rs710079 and rs2858056 SNPs between RA patients and control groups (P = 0.040 and 0.029, respectively). Our data also indicated that individuals with the GG genotype at rs2858056 SNP may have a higher risk of developing RA. In addition, compared with the haplotype frequencies between case and control groups, individuals with the GCGC haplotype appeared to be at a greater risk of RA progression (P = 0.003, OR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.20-1.55). Our results suggest that rs710079 and rs2858056 polymorphisms and the GCGC haplotype in the MPG gene are associated with the risk of RA progression, and thus may be used as molecular markers of RA if they are confirmed by further research.

Abstract 3091: Oncogenic roles of nuclear VCP in oral cancer development

VCP is a member of AAA-ATPase family that includes putative ATP-binding proteins involved in nuclear envelope reconstruction, cell cycle regulation, Golgi reassembly, suppression of apoptosis, and DNA-damage response. Due to the novel functions, VCP overexpression was linked to cancer development and suggested as a prognostic tumor marker for poor clinical outcome. Our preliminary data of SNP array analysis on 33 fresh clinical OSCC samples identified an amplified region at chromosome 9p13.3 containing the VCP gene. This finding was further validated by FISH analysis on a larger scale using paraffin-embedded oral cancer tissues. Consistent with genomic copy alterations, the mRNA and protein expression levels of VCP were also found higher in OSCC tissues. Interestingly, the nuclear VCP staining correlates with VCP gene amplification and shorter overall survival, suggesting the novel functions of VCP in nucleus during OSCC development. In this study, we identified several nuclear binding partners for VCP in OSCC cells, and signaling networks controlled by VCP during OSCC development were discussed.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3091.