Association Between miR-149 Gene rs2292832 Polymorphism and Risk of Gastric Cancer

Accumulating evidence suggested that microRNA (miRNA) genes take part in different processes associated with gastric cancer (GC). The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located on miRNA sequences may affect the interaction with their target mRNAs and consequently the genetic susceptibility to GC.

A hospital-based case-control study with 320 cases and 354 controls was conducted to investigate the association between miR-149 gene rs2292832 polymorphism and GC susceptibility in a Chinese Han population.

TT genotype or T allele carriers of miR-149 gene rs2292832 polymorphism increased the risk of GC. Furthermore, a meta-analysis together with this study between this SNP and GC risk was performed. In the allele association study, meta-analysis between this polymorphism and GC risk showed that T or C allele was not associated with the risk of GC, but TC genotype carriers of miR-149 gene rs2292832 polymorphism were associated with decreased risk of GC (TC vs. CC, heterozygote model: OR and 95% CI, 0.80 [0.67,0.96]). Stratification analysis of ethnicity in this meta-analysis indicated that rs2292832 polymorphism decreased the risk of GC among Caucasians (TT  + TC vs. CC, dominant model: OR and 95% CI, 0.69 (0.50,0.97); TC vs. CC, heterozygote model: OR and 95% CI, 0.68 [0.47,0.97]), while this SNP increased the risk of GC among Asians (TT vs. TC  + CC, recessive model: OR and 95% CI, 1.24 [1.04,1.48]; T vs. C, allele model: OR and 95% CI, 1.13 [1.00,1.28]).

This case-control study and meta-analysis confirm that miR-149 gene rs2292832 polymorphism is associated with increased risk of GC among Asians.