Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis
10:40

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis

Published on: April 25, 2022

Association between two genetic variants in miRNA and primary liver cancer risk in the Chinese population

Juan Zhou1, Ruixue Lv, Xingbo Song

  • 1Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.

DNA and Cell Biology
|August 25, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miR-146a and miR-499 were not linked to primary liver cancer risk in Chinese adults. However, miR-146a SNPs may influence earlier disease onset and liver function.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of human growth and development.
  • Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs can alter gene expression and target affinity, potentially contributing to diseases like cancer.
  • Primary liver cancer remains a significant global health concern, necessitating research into its genetic underpinnings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between specific polymorphisms in miR-146a (rs2910164 G>C) and miR-499 (rs3746444 T>C) and the risk of primary liver cancer in a Western Chinese population.
  • To explore potential correlations between these miRNA SNPs and various clinicopathological features of liver cancer.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted with 186 primary liver cancer patients and 483 healthy controls from Western China.
  • Genotyping of the selected SNPs in miR-146a and miR-499 was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
  • Statistical analyses were employed to compare SNP distributions between cases and controls and to assess associations with clinicopathological characteristics.

Main Results:

  • No significant association was found between the studied polymorphisms in miR-146a and miR-499 and the susceptibility to primary liver cancer.
  • The distribution of these SNPs did not correlate with diverse clinicopathological features of the disease.
  • Interestingly, patients with the miR-146a CG genotype exhibited an earlier age of onset (49.9 years) and better liver function (Child-Pugh grade 5.55) compared to the CC genotype (54.9 years and 6.15, respectively).
  • Further analysis revealed that individuals carrying at least one G allele in miR-146a were diagnosed at a younger age (49.6 years) and had improved liver function (Child-Pugh grade 5.60) compared to those without the G allele (54.9 years and 6.15, respectively).

Conclusions:

  • The investigated SNPs in miR-146a and miR-499 are not significantly associated with the risk of developing primary liver cancer in the studied Chinese population.
  • The miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism may play a role in influencing the age of onset and the severity of liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh grade) in liver cancer patients.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the functional mechanisms underlying the observed influence of miR-146a SNPs on disease progression and liver function.

More Related Videos

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues11:29

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues

Published on: September 8, 2015

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs01:05

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs

A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)...
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu01:29

Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu

Genetic variations significantly influence drug response through pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, and biologic milieu modifications. Pharmacokinetic alterations impact drug metabolism and clearance, affecting efficacy and toxicity. Variants in drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, alter drug activation and elimination. For example, CYP2C9 loss-of-function variants require lower warfarin doses to prevent excessive bleeding, while CYP2C19 variants reduce clopidogrel...