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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

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Published on: March 17, 2023
Polymorphisms in mitochondrial genes and prostate cancer risk
Liang Wang1, Shannon K McDonnell, Scott J Hebbring
1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Mitochondria and prostate cancer risk were investigated using genetic variations. No significant associations were found for mitochondrial or nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes, suggesting they are not major risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Oncology
- Mitochondrial Biology
Background:
- Mitochondria, traditionally viewed as energy producers, have diverse roles and are linked to diseases like cancer.
- Prostate cancer risk is influenced by genetic factors, prompting investigation into mitochondria-related genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if genetic variations in mitochondrial and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes increase prostate cancer risk.
- To analyze single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes within mitochondrial and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes.
Main Methods:
- Genotyped 24 mitochondrial genome SNPs and 376 tagSNPs in 78 nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes.
- Compared allele and haplotype frequencies in ~1,000 prostate cancer cases and ~500 controls.
- Evaluated associations, including comparisons with existing Cancer Genetic Markers of Susceptibility (CGEMS) data.
Main Results:
- No significant association was detected for mitochondrial genome SNPs or common mitochondrial haplotypes with prostate cancer.
- None of the tagSNPs in nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes showed significant association after adjusting for multiple testing.
- Seven tagSNPs showed unadjusted significance in this study and CGEMS phase I, but were not replicated in CGEMS phase II.
Conclusions:
- Polymorphisms in the evaluated mitochondrial genome and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes do not appear to be substantial risk factors for prostate cancer.
- Further research may be needed to explore other genetic or environmental factors contributing to prostate cancer susceptibility.
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