Nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) promoter polymorphisms in colorectal cancer

Previously, increased expression of nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) in colorectal cancer (CRC) has been identified. The NOS2 gene is transcriptionally regulated, which suggests that polymorphisms in the NOS2 promoter may have a role for CRC development and progression. The genotyping was performed with PCR/RFLP, single strand conformation analysis or MegaBACE genotyping of normal blood DNA from CRC patients and normal healthy controls. However, no significant association between NOS2 polymorphisms and CRC onset or clinical outcome was evident. In conclusion, these results, therefore, suggest that NOS2 promoter polymorphisms have a limited effect on the onset or progression of CRC.