The Investigation of MAPK7 Gene Variations in Colorectal Cancer Risk

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are important regulatory molecules, which have essential roles in physiology and pathology. In the present study, we examined the possible correlation between the MAPK7 gene and colorectal cancer risk in the Turkish population.

A total of 100 human DNA samples (50 colorectal cancer patients and 50 healthy individuals) were sequenced using next-generation sequencing to define the potential genetic variations in the MAPK7 gene.

Five genetic variations (MAPK7; rs2233072, rs2233076, rs181138364, rs34984998, rs148989290) were detected in our study group. The G (variant) allele of the MAPK7; rs2233072 (T>G) gene polymorphism was found in 76% of colorectal cancer cases, and 66% of controls. The prevalence of rs2233076, rs181138364, rs34984998, and rs148989290 gene variations was quite rare in the subjects and no significant association in terms of genotype and allele frequencies was observed between the cases and controls.

No statistically significant correlation between the MAP7 kinase gene variations and colorectal cancer risk was observed. This is the first investigation in the Turkish population that may initiate additional studies in larger populations to analyze the effect of MAPK7 gene on the colorectal cancer risk.