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Association of genetic variation in mitotic kinases with breast cancer risk

Xianshu Wang1, Zachary S Fredericksen, Robert A Vierkant

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. wangx1@mayo.edu

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
|May 1, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Genetic variations in mitotic kinases, crucial for cell division, are linked to breast cancer risk. Specific gene polymorphisms, particularly in FYN, MAST2, and MAP2K4, show associations with increased risk, especially in hormone-receptor-positive tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mitotic kinases are essential for normal cell division, and defects are common in cancer.
  • Previous studies identified key mitotic kinases through functional screening in Drosophila.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between common genetic variations in mitotic kinases and breast cancer risk.
  • To explore if specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in mitotic kinase genes correlate with breast cancer development.

Main Methods:

  • Genotyped 386 SNPs from 44 mitotic kinase genes in 798 breast cancer cases and 843 controls.
  • Utilized logistic regression and haplotype-based tests to analyze SNP associations with breast cancer risk.
  • Examined associations stratified by estrogen and progesterone receptor status.

Main Results:

  • Identified 22 SNPs in 13 kinase genes associated with breast cancer risk (P(trend) <= 0.05).
  • Two SNPs in the FYN gene showed suggestive associations after multiple testing correction (q = 0.06).
  • Significant associations were found for MAST2 and MAP2K4 haplotypes, and associations were stronger for hormone-receptor-positive tumors.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic polymorphisms in mitotic kinases may contribute to breast cancer development.
  • Findings suggest a role for kinases involved in chromosome instability and aneuploidy in breast cancer etiology.
  • Further replication studies are needed to confirm these associations.

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