MicroRNA Binding Site Polymorphisms are Associated with the Development of Gastric Cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) binding to the 3 -untranslated regions (3 -UTRs) of messenger RNAs (mRNAs), affect several cellular mechanisms such as translation, differentiation, tumorigenesis, carcinogenesis and apoptosis. The occurrence of genetic polymorphisms in 3 -UTRs of target genes affect the binding affinity of miRNAs with the target genes resulting in their altered expression. The current case-control study of 100 samples (50% cancer patients and 50% health persons as control) was aimed to evaluate the genotyping of microRNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located at the binding site of the 3 -UTR of C14orf101 (rs4901706) and mir-124 (- rs531564) genes and their correlations with gastric cancer (GC) development. The Statistical analysis results indicated the significant association of AG development risk with the SNPs located in the 3 -UTR of C14orf101 and mir-124. It could be concluded from the results that these genes are associated with the gastric adenocarcinoma.