Susceptibility to large-joint osteoarthritis (hip and knee) is associated with BAG6 rs3117582 SNP and the VNTR polymorphism in the second exon of the FAM46A gene on chromosome 6

Novel variations in TENT5D lead to teratozoospermia in infertile patients

PURPOSE

Teratozoospermia is the main pathogenic factor of male infertility. However, the genetic etiology of teratozoospermia is largely unknown. This study aims to clarify the relationship between novel variations in TENT5D and teratozoospermia in infertile patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two infertile patients were enrolled. Routine semen analysis of patients and normal controls was conducted with the WHO guidelines. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was conducted to identify pathogenic variants in the two patients. Morphology and ultrastructure analysis of spermatozoa in the two patients was determined by Papanicolaou staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The functional effect of the identified variants was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and western blotting. The expression of TENT5D in different germ cells was detected by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

Two new hemizygous variations, c.101C > T (p.P34L) and c.125A > T (p.D42V), in TENT5D were detected in two patients with male infertility. Morphology analysis showed abnormalities in spermatozoa morphology in the two patients, including multiple heads, headless, multiple tails, coiled, and/or bent flagella. Ultrastructure analysis showed that most of the spermatozoa exhibited missing or irregularly arranged '9+2' structures. Further functional experiments confirmed the abrogated TENT5D protein expression in patients. In addition, both p.P34L and p.D42V substitutions resulted in a conformational change of the TENT5D protein. We precisely analyzed the subcellular localization of TENT5D in germ cells in humans and mice. And we found that TENT5D was predominantly detected in the head and flagellum of elongating spermatids and epididymal spermatozoa.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed further evidence of a relationship between TENT5D mutation and human male infertility, providing new genetic insight for use in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

Update on the Genetics of Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heterogeneous heritable skeletal dysplasia characterized by bone fragility and deformity, growth deficiency, and other secondary connective tissue defects. OI is now understood as a collagen-related disorder caused by defects of genes whose protein products interact with collagen for folding, post-translational modification, processing and trafficking, affecting bone mineralization and osteoblast differentiation. This review provides the latest updates on genetics of OI, including new developments in both dominant and rare OI forms, as well as the signaling pathways involved in OI pathophysiology. There is a special emphasis on discoveries of recessive mutations in TENT5A, MESD, KDELR2 and CCDC134 whose causality of OI types XIX, XX, XXI and XXI, respectively, is now established and expends the complexity of mechanisms underlying OI to overlap LRP5/6 and MAPK/ERK pathways. We also review in detail new discoveries connecting the known OI types to each other, which may underlie an eventual understanding of a final common pathway in OI cellular and bone biology.

Indirect influence of microRNA-146a on the association of IL-6 and TNF-α genetic polymorphisms with the increased risk of hip osteoarthritis

Primary osteoarthritis (POA) is a complex hereditary disease that involves the interplay between genetics and epigenetics. MicroRNA molecules play important roles in epigenetic mechanisms. MicroRNA-146a (miR-146a) is a negative regulator of the immune response in osteoarthritis (OA). So, variations in the miR-146a gene could affect OA risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the miR-146a, interleukin-6 (IL-6), Toll-like receptor 10 (TLR10), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFA) genes and the risk for development of advanced-stage primary hip osteoarthritis (PHOA) and primary knee osteoarthritis (PKOA) in the Croatian population. A total of 609 POA patients and 656 healthy donors were genotyped for SNPs in the miR-146a (rs2910164, G>C). Since we used same patients and controls as two studies before us, we already had information about IL-6 (rs1800795, C>G), TLR10 (rs11096957, C>T), and TNFA (rs1800629, C>T) genotypes of our subjects. None of the differences were statistically significant comparing either allelic or genotypic frequencies of miR-146a SNP rs2910164 (G>C) between the PHOA and PKOA patients and controls. However, we found a significant association with risk to PHOA for the combination of genotypes (stratified miR-146a genotype with the IL-6, and stratified miR-146a genotype with the TNFA). In a multifactorial disease such as POA, we have shown the indirect relevance of a second modifying factor (miR-146a), which apparently contributes to the overall risk of PHOA. There was no risk association with the PKOA, indicating that these two localities (hip and knee) might have different risk-modifying factors.

Identification of the potential biomarkers in patients with glioma: a weighted gene co-expression network analysis

Glioma is the most common brain tumor with high mortality. However, there are still challenges for the timely and accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of the tumor. One hundred and twenty-one samples with grades II, III and IV from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were used to construct gene co-expression networks to identify hub modules closely related to glioma grade, and performed pathway enrichment analysis on genes from significant modules. In gene co-expression network constructed by 2345 differentially expressed genes from 121 gene expression profiles for glioma, we identified the black and blue modules that associated with grading. The module preservation analysis based on 118 samples indicates that the two modules were replicable. Enrichment analysis showed that the extracellular matrix genes were enriched for blue module, while cell division genes were enriched for black module. According to survival analysis, 21 hub genes were significantly up-regulated and one gene was significantly down-regulated. What’s more, IKBIP, SEC24D, and FAM46A are the genes with little attention among the 22 hub genes. In this study, IKBIP, SEC24D, and FAM46A related to glioma were mentioned for the first time to the current knowledge, which might provide a new idea for us to study the disease in the future. IKBIP, SEC24D and FAM46A among the 22 hub genes identified that are related to the malignancy degree of glioma might be used as new biomarkers to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of glioma.

Functions and mechanisms of RNA tailing by metazoan terminal nucleotidyltransferases

Termini often determine the fate of RNA molecules. In recent years, 3' ends of almost all classes of RNA species have been shown to acquire nontemplated nucleotides that are added by terminal nucleotidyltransferases (TENTs). The best-described role of 3' tailing is the bulk polyadenylation of messenger RNAs in the cell nucleus that is catalyzed by canonical poly(A) polymerases (PAPs). However, many other enzymes that add adenosines, uridines, or even more complex combinations of nucleotides have recently been described. This review focuses on metazoan TENTs, which are either noncanonical PAPs or terminal uridylyltransferases with varying processivity. These enzymes regulate RNA stability and RNA functions and are crucial in early development, gamete production, and somatic tissues. TENTs regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level, participate in the maturation of many transcripts, and protect cells against viral invasion and the transposition of repetitive sequences. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Processing > 3' End Processing RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability.

A tale of non-canonical tails: gene regulation by post-transcriptional RNA tailing

RNA tailing, or the addition of non-templated nucleotides to the 3' end of RNA, is the most frequent and conserved type of RNA modification. The addition of tails and their composition reflect RNA maturation stages and have important roles in determining the fate of the modified RNAs. Apart from canonical poly(A) polymerases, which add poly(A) tails to mRNAs in a transcription-coupled manner, a family of terminal nucleotidyltransferases (TENTs), including terminal uridylyltransferases (TUTs), modify RNAs post-transcriptionally to control RNA stability and activity. The human genome encodes 11 different TENTs with distinct substrate specificity, intracellular localization and tissue distribution. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of non-canonical RNA tails, with a focus on the functions of human TENTs, which include uridylation, mixed tailing and post-transcriptional polyadenylation of mRNAs, microRNAs and other types of non-coding RNA.

Overexpression of FAM46A, a Non-canonical Poly(A) Polymerase, Promotes Hemin-Induced Hemoglobinization in K562 Cells

FAM46A belongs to the FAM46 subfamily of the nucleotidyltransferase-fold superfamily and is predicted to be a non-canonical poly(A) polymerase. FAM46A has been linked to several human disorders including retinitis pigmentosa, bone abnormality, cancer, and obesity. However, its molecular and functional characteristics are largely unknown. We herein report that FAM46A is expressed in cells of the hematopoietic system and plays a role in hemin-induced hemoglobinization. FAM46A is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttle protein modified by Tyr-phosphorylation only in the cytosol, where it is closely associated with ER. On the other hand, it is located proximal to the chromatin regions of active transcription in the nucleus. FAM46A is a cell cycle-dependent poly-ubiquitinated short-lived protein degraded mostly by proteasome and its overexpression inhibits cell growth and promotes hemin-induced hemoglobinization in K562 cell. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments confirm the non-canonical poly(A) polymerase activity of FAM46A is essential for enhanced hemin-induced hemoglobinization. In summary, FAM46A is a novel poly(A) polymerase that functions as a critical intracellular modulator of hemoglobinization.

Bone biology: insights from osteogenesis imperfecta and related rare fragility syndromes

The limited accessibility of bone and its mineralized nature have restricted deep investigation of its biology. Recent breakthroughs in identification of mutant proteins affecting bone tissue homeostasis in rare skeletal diseases have revealed novel pathways involved in skeletal development and maintenance. The characterization of new dominant, recessive and X-linked forms of the rare brittle bone disease osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and other OI-related bone fragility disorders was a key player in this advance. The development of in vitro models for these diseases along with the generation and characterization of murine and zebrafish models contributed to dissecting previously unknown pathways. Here, we describe the most recent advances in the understanding of processes involved in abnormal bone mineralization, collagen processing and osteoblast function, as illustrated by the characterization of new causative genes for OI and OI-related fragility syndromes. The coordinated role of the integral membrane protein BRIL and of the secreted protein PEDF in modulating bone mineralization as well as the function and cross-talk of the collagen-specific chaperones HSP47 and FKBP65 in collagen processing and secretion are discussed. We address the significance of WNT ligand, the importance of maintaining endoplasmic reticulum membrane potential and of regulating intramembrane proteolysis in osteoblast homeostasis. Moreover, we also examine the relevance of the cytoskeletal protein plastin-3 and of the nucleotidyltransferase FAM46A. Thanks to these advances, new targets for the development of novel therapies for currently incurable rare bone diseases have been and, likely, will be identified, supporting the important role of basic science for translational approaches.

Analysis of the association between CDH2 gene polymorphism and osteoarthritis risk

OBJECTIVE

to define the cadherin 2 (CDH2) gene polymorphism in Chinese osteoarthritis and control populations and to explore the correlation between CDH2 gene polymorphism and the risk of osteoarthritis.

METHOD

a total of 476 patients with osteoarthritis were collected and 380 control subjects were included in the study. Clinical data such as gender, age and functional score were collected. The blood and tissue samples were collected and genotyped by PCR. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 19.0, Hapioview 4.2 and SNPstats softwares.

RESULTS

the association of rs11083271 and osteoarthritis was initially validated in this study population (P = 0.016, OR = 1.43 (1.07- 1.93)]. The risk of OA was significantly higher in heterozygous T/C than in homozygous T/T and C/C in rs11083271. By adjusting the age, according to gender stratification analysis, the heterozygous T/C genotype in rs11083271 significantly increased the risk of OA incidence in males [p = 0.011, 3.40 (1.55-7.43)]. The remaining rs sites were not significantly associated with OA. Notably, the association of rs11564299 with OA, regardless of genotyping, gene frequency and RNA expression levels in the study population, was not confirmed.

CONCLUSION

in this study, we have analyzed the association between CDH2 gene polymorphism and OA in Chinese population. We found that rs11083271 heterozygous T/C genotype significantly increases the risk of OA and the severity of the disease. By contrast, the rs11564299 locus and OA have no significant correlation in the Chinese population. The role of rs11083271 in the regulation of CDH2 expression levels and the mechanisms by which it impacts OA remain to be further studied.

Terminal nucleotidyl transferases (TENTs) in mammalian RNA metabolism

In eukaryotes, almost all RNA species are processed at their 3′ ends and most mRNAs are polyadenylated in the nucleus by canonical poly(A) polymerases. In recent years, several terminal nucleotidyl transferases (TENTs) including non-canonical poly(A) polymerases (ncPAPs) and terminal uridyl transferases (TUTases) have been discovered. In contrast to canonical polymerases, TENTs' functions are more diverse; some, especially TUTases, induce RNA decay while others, such as cytoplasmic ncPAPs, activate translationally dormant deadenylated mRNAs. The mammalian genome encodes 11 different TENTs. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the functions and mechanisms of action of these enzymes.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘5′ and 3′ modifications controlling RNA degradation’.

Interleukin-17 and Toll-like Receptor 10 genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to large joint osteoarthritis

Primary osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of a joint disease. It has a polygenic risk inheritance pattern and affects older people. The etiology of this disease is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between polymorphisms in pro-inflammatory interleukin-17 (IL17A and IL17F) and anti-inflammatory Toll-like Receptor 10 (TLR10) genes with the risk for development of advanced stage hip and knee primary OA in the Croatian population. A total of 500 OA patients and 597 controls were genotyped for IL17A SNP (rs2275913), IL17F SNPs (rs763780 and rs1889570), and TLR10 (rs11096957) genes. The allelic and genotypic frequencies of IL17F SNP (rs763780) showed statistically significant differences in comparisons of controls with hip-but not knee-OA patients. The major allele (T) of rs763780 was associated with the lower risk for developing hip OA (p = 7.9 × 10^-4 , OR = 0.45, 95%CI = 0.27-0.74), whereas the minor allele (C) was associated with susceptibility to hip OA (p = 7.9 × 10^-4 , OR = 2.24, 95%CI = 1.35-3.72). The genotype T/T was associated with the protection to hip OA (p = 3.9 × 10^-4 , OR = 0.41, 95%CI = 0.24-0.70), and, lastly, the genotype T/C was associated with the higher risk to acquiring hip OA (p = 2.6 × 10^-4 , OR = 2.50, 95%CI = 1.47-4.25). TLR10 SNP rs11096957 was found significantly associated with predisposition to hip OA (p = 0.04, OR = 1.41, 95%CI = 1.02-1.94) but not knee OA. Our findings suggest that hip OA in Croatian population might have a different genetic risk regarding the IL17 and TLR10 gene locus than knee OA. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1684-1693, 2018.

Association between EN1 rs4144782 and susceptibility of knee osteoarthritis: A case-control study

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex disease that affects the whole joint, resulting from the combined influence of biomechanical factors and genetic factors. The heritable component for primary OA accounts for about 60% of variation in population liability to the disease. So far, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and candidate gene studies have established many OA-related loci. However, these findings account for only a rather small fraction of the genetic component. To further reveal the genetic architecture of OA, we conducted this case-control study to explore the association of locus EN1 rs4144782 and knee OA susceptibility in a Chinese population. EN1 rs4144782 was significantly associated with increased risk of knee OA (OR=1.26; 95% CI: 1.05-1.50, P value=0.012). In dominant model, compared with carriers of GG genotype, those with AG or AA genotype have an 1.44-fold increased risk of OA (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.10-1.88; P value=0.008). Subgroup analyses didn't change the results materially. This should be the first association study of EN1 locus on risk of OA, and our finding suggested that the EN1 rs4144782 might contribute to the susceptibility of knee OA.

FAM46A mutations are responsible for autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta

BACKGROUND

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) is characterised by bowing of the lower limbs, respiratory distress and hyperthermia that are often responsible for early death. Survivors develop progressive scoliosis and spontaneous fractures. We previously identified LIFR mutations in most SWS cases, but absence of LIFR pathogenic changes in five patients led us to perform exome sequencing and to identify homozygosity for a FAM46A mutation in one case [p.Ser205Tyrfs*13]. The follow-up of this case supported a final diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), based on vertebral collapses and blue sclerae.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This prompted us to screen FAM46A in 25 OI patients with no known mutations.We identified a homozygous deleterious variant in FAM46A in two affected sibs with typical OI [p.His127Arg]. Another homozygous variant, [p.Asp231Gly], also classed as deleterious, was detected in a patient with type III OI of consanguineous parents using homozygosity mapping and exome sequencing.FAM46A is a member of the superfamily of nucleotidyltransferase fold proteins but its exact function is presently unknown. Nevertheless, there are lines of evidence pointing to a relevant role of FAM46A in bone development. By RT-PCR analysis, we detected specific expression of FAM46A in human osteoblasts andinterestingly, a nonsense mutation in Fam46a has been recently identified in an ENU-derived (N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea) mouse model characterised by decreased body length, limb, rib, pelvis, and skull deformities and reduced cortical thickness in long bones.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that FAM46A mutations are responsible for a severe form of OI with congenital bowing of the lower limbs and suggest screening this gene in unexplained OI forms.

Structural basis for regulation of the nucleo-cytoplasmic distribution of Bag6 by TRC35

The metazoan protein BCL2-associated athanogene cochaperone 6 (Bag6) forms a hetero-trimeric complex with ubiquitin-like 4A and transmembrane domain recognition complex 35 (TRC35). This Bag6 complex is involved in tail-anchored protein targeting and various protein quality-control pathways in the cytosol as well as regulating transcription and histone methylation in the nucleus. Here we present a crystal structure of Bag6 and its cytoplasmic retention factor TRC35, revealing that TRC35 is remarkably conserved throughout the opisthokont lineage except at the C-terminal Bag6-binding groove, which evolved to accommodate Bag6, a unique metazoan factor. While TRC35 and its fungal homolog, guided entry of tail-anchored protein 4 (Get4), utilize a conserved hydrophobic patch to bind their respective partners, Bag6 wraps around TRC35 on the opposite face relative to the Get4-5 interface. We further demonstrate that TRC35 binding is critical not only for occluding the Bag6 nuclear localization sequence from karyopherin α to retain Bag6 in the cytosol but also for preventing TRC35 from succumbing to RNF126-mediated ubiquitylation and degradation. The results provide a mechanism for regulation of Bag6 nuclear localization and the functional integrity of the Bag6 complex in the cytosol.

The non-canonical poly(A) polymerase FAM46C acts as an onco-suppressor in multiple myeloma

FAM46C is one of the most frequently mutated genes in multiple myeloma. Here, using a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches, we demonstrate that FAM46C encodes an active non-canonical poly(A) polymerase which enhances mRNA stability and gene expression. Reintroduction of active FAM46C into multiple myeloma cell lines, but not its catalytically-inactive mutant, leads to broad polyadenylation and stabilization of mRNAs strongly enriched with those encoding endoplasmic reticulum-targeted proteins and induces cell death. Moreover, silencing of FAM46C in multiple myeloma cells expressing WT protein enhance cell proliferation. Finally, using a FAM46C-FLAG knock-in mouse strain, we show that the FAM46C protein is strongly induced during activation of primary splenocytes and that B lymphocytes isolated from newly generated FAM46C KO mice proliferate faster than those isolated from their WT littermates. Concluding, our data clearly indicate that FAM46C works as an onco-suppressor, with the specificity for B-lymphocyte lineage from which multiple myeloma originates.

FAM46C is one of the most frequently mutated genes in multiple myeloma (MM), but its molecular function remains unknown. Here the authors show that FAM46C is a poly(A) polymerase and that loss of function of FAM46C drives multiple myeloma through the destabilisation of ER response transcripts.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Osteoarthritis: An Overview and a Meta-Analysis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex disorder characterized by degenerative articular cartilage and is largely attributed to genetic risk factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are common DNA variants that have shown promising and efficiency, compared with positional cloning, to map candidate genes of complex diseases, including OA. In this study, we aim to provide an overview of multiple SNPs from a number of genes that have recently been linked to OA susceptibility. We also performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the association of SNP rs7639618 of double von Willebrand factor A domains (DVWA) gene with OA susceptibility. A systematic search of studies on the association of SNPs with susceptibility to OA was conducted in PubMed and Google scholar. Studies subjected to meta-analysis include human and case-control studies that met the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium model and provide sufficient data to calculate an odds ratio (OR). A total of 9500 OA cases and 9365 controls in 7 case-control studies relating to SNP rs7639618 were included in this study and the ORs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Over 50 SNPs from different genes have been shown to be associated with either hip (23), or knee (20), or both (13) OA. The ORs of these SNPs for OA and the subtypes are not consistent. As to SNP rs7639618 of DVWA, increased knee OA risk was observed in all genetic models analyzed. Specifically, people from Asian with G-allele showed significantly increased risk of knee OA (A versus G: OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.13-1.46; AA versus GG: OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.25-2.05; GA versus GG: OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.18-1.44; AA versus GA+GG: OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.12-1.61; AA+GA versus GG: OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.19-1.64), but not in Caucasians or with hip OA. Our results suggest that multiple SNPs play different roles in the pathogenesis of OA and its subtypes; SNP rs7639618 of DVWA gene is associated with a significantly increased risk of knee OA in Asians. Given the limited sample size, further studies are needed to evaluate this observation.

Exome sequencing identifies a nonsense mutation in Fam46a associated with bone abnormalities in a new mouse model for skeletal dysplasia

We performed exome sequencing for mutation discovery of an ENU (N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea)-derived mouse model characterized by significant elevated plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in female and male mutant mice, originally named BAP014 (bone screen alkaline phosphatase #14). We identified a novel loss-of-function mutation within the Fam46a (family with sequence similarity 46, member A) gene (NM_001160378.1:c.469G>T, NP_001153850.1:p.Glu157*). Heterozygous mice of this mouse line (renamed Fam46a (E157*Mhda)) had significantly high ALP activities and apparently no other differences in morphology compared to wild-type mice. In contrast, homozygous Fam46a (E157*Mhda) mice showed severe morphological and skeletal abnormalities including short stature along with limb, rib, pelvis, and skull deformities with minimal trabecular bone and reduced cortical bone thickness in long bones. ALP activities of homozygous mutants were almost two-fold higher than in heterozygous mice. Fam46a is weakly expressed in most adult and embryonic tissues with a strong expression in mineralized tissues as calvaria and femur. The FAM46A protein is computationally predicted as a new member of the superfamily of nucleotidyltransferase fold proteins, but little is known about its function. Fam46a (E157*Mhda) mice are the first mouse model for a mutation within the Fam46a gene.

Role of HLA-B associated transcript 3 in immune diseases

HLA-B associated transcript 3 (BAT3/Scythe/BAG6) is a member of the BAG protein family which can regulate the cell cycle. Recently, BAT3 has also been identified to have immunoregulatory function through kinds of mechanisms. First, BAT3 can promote the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), the activity of macrophages and the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-Ⅱ on antigen presenting cells (APCs) to regulate chronic inflammation. Second, BAT3 can suppress T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3)-mediated cell death and exhaustion of T helper cell type 1 (Th1) to exacerbate autoimmune diseases. Finally, BAT3 can regulate the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells (NKs) in a NKp30-dependent manner to play a part in tumor immune evasion and tumor rejection. Further details about BAT3 and its involvement in immunity and immunity-associated diseases will benefit the novel strategy for treatment of immune diseases.

Association of the FAM46A gene VNTRs and BAG6 rs3117582 SNP with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Croatian and Norwegian populations

We analyzed for associations between a variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the Family with sequence similarity 46, member A (FAM46A) gene and a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs3117582) in the BCL2-Associated Athanogene 6 (BAG6) with non small cell lung cancer in Croatian and Norwegian subjects. A total of 503 (262 Croatian and 241Norwegian) non small cell lung cancer patients and 897 controls (568 Croatian and 329 Norwegian) were analyzed. We found that the frequency of allele b (three VNTR repeats) of FAM46A gene was significantly increased in the patients compared to the healthy controls in the Croatian and the combined Croatian and Norwegian subjects. Genotype frequencies of cd (four and five VNTR repeats) and cc (four VNTR repeats homozygote) of the FAM46A gene were significantly decreased in the patients compared to the healthy controls in the Croatian and Norwegian subjects, respectively. Logistic regression analyses revealed FAM46A genotype cc to be an independent predictive factor for non small cell lung cancer risk in the Norwegian subjects after adjustment for age, gender and smoking status. This is the first study to suggest an association between the FAM46A gene VNTR polymorphisms and non small cell lung cancer. We found also that BAG6 rs3117582 SNP was associated with non small cell lung cancer in the Norwegian subjects and the combined Croatian-Norwegian subjects corroborating the earlier finding that BAG6 rs3117582 SNP was associated with lung cancer in Europeans. Logistic regression analyses revealed that genotypes and alleles of BAG6 were independent predictive factor for non small cell lung cancer risk in the Norwegian and combined Croatian-Norwegian subjects, after adjustment for age and gender.