Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in WNT genes with the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate

Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in WNT Genes in Patients with Non-Syndromic Orofacial Clefts in a Polish Population

Non-syndromic orofacial cleft (OFC) is the most common facial developmental defect in the global population. The etiology of these birth defects is complex and multifactorial, involving both genetic and environmental factors. This study aimed to determine if SNPs in the WNT gene family (rs1533767, rs708111, rs3809857, rs7207916, rs12452064) are associated with OFCs in a Polish population. The study included 627 individuals: 209 children with OFCs and 418 healthy controls. DNA was extracted from saliva for the study group and from umbilical cord blood for the control group. Polymorphism genotyping was conducted using quantitative PCR. No statistically significant association was found between four variants and clefts, with odds ratios for rs708111 being 1.13 (CC genotype) and 0.99 (CT genotype), for rs3809857 being 1.05 (GT genotype) and 0.95 (TT genotype), for rs7207916 being 0.86 (AA genotype) and 1.29 (AG genotype) and for rs12452064 being 0.97 (AA genotype) and 1.24 (AG genotype). However, the rs1533767 polymorphism in WNT showed a statistically significant increase in OFC risk for the GG genotype (OR = 1.76, p < 0.001). This research shows that the rs1533767 polymorphism in the WNT gene is an important risk marker for OFC in the Polish population.

In silico analyses of Wnt1 nsSNPs reveal structurally destabilizing variants, altered interactions with Frizzled receptors and its deregulation in tumorigenesis

Wnt1 is the first mammalian Wnt gene, which is discovered as proto-oncogene and in human the gene is located on the chromosome 12q13. Mutations in Wnt1 are reported to be associated with various cancers and other human diseases. The structural and functional consequences of most of the non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs), present in the human Wnt1 gene, are not known. In the present work, extensive bioinformatics analyses are used to screen 292 nsSNPs of Wnt1 for predicting pathogenic and harmless polymorphisms. We have identified 10 highly deleterious nsSNPs among which 7 are located within the highly conserved areas. These 10 nsSNPs are also predicted to affect the post-translational modifications of Wnt1. Further, structure based stability analyses of these 10 highly deleterious nsSNPs revealed 8 variants as highly destabilizing. These 8 highly destabilizing variants were shown to have high BC score and high RMSIP score from normal mode analyses. Based on the deformation energies, obtained from the normal mode analyses, variants like G169A, G169S, G331R and G331S were found to be unstable. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations revealed structural stability and fluctuation of WT Wnt1 and its prioritized variants. RMSD remained fluctuating mostly between 4 and 5 Å and occasionally between 3.5 and 5.5 Å ranges. RMSF in the CTD region (residues 330-360) of the binding pocket were lower compared to that of WT. Studying the impacts of nsSNPs on the binding interface of Wnt1 and seven Frizzled receptors have predicted substitutions which can stabilize or destabilize the binding interface. We have found that Wnt1 and FZD8-CRD is the best docked complex in our study. MD simulation based analyses of wild type Wnt1-FZD8-CRD complex and the 8 prioritized variants revealed that RMSF was higher in the unstructured regions and RMSD remained fluctuating in the region of 5 Å ± 1 Å. We have also observed differential Wnt1 gene expression pattern in normal, tumor and metastatic conditions across different tissues. Wnt1 gene expression was significantly higher in metastatic tissues of lungs, colon and skin; and was significantly lower in metastatic tissues of breast, esophagus and kidney. We have also found that Wnt1 deregulation is associated with survival outcome in patients with gastric and breast cancer. Furthermore, these computationally screened highly deleterious nsSNPs of Wnt1 can be analyzed in population based genetic studies and may help understand the Wnt1 associated diseases.

The effect of genetic polymorphisms on treatment duration following premolar extraction

To elucidate genetic factors affecting orthodontic treatment duration, we employed targeted next-generation sequencing on DNA from the saliva of 117 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment after premolar extraction. The clinical characteristics of patients are summarized, and the association of clinical variables with treatment duration was assessed. Patients whose treatment duration deviated from the average were classified into an extreme long group or an extreme short group. We identified nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of six genes that significantly differed in the two groups via targeted sequencing. The frequency of the CC genotypes of WNT3A, SPP1 (rs4754, rs9138), and TNFSF11, TT genotype of SPP1 (rs1126616), and GG genotype of SFRP2 was significantly higher in the extreme long group than in the short group. In the extreme short group, the TC genotype of SPP1, AA genotype of P2RX7, CT genotype of TNFSF11, and AG genotype of TNFRSF11A tended to exhibit higher frequency than in the long group. Taken together, we identified genetic polymorphisms related to treatment duration in Korean orthodontic patients undergoing premolar extraction. Our findings could lead to further studies predicting the prolongation of the orthodontic treatment duration, and will be of great aid to patients as well as orthodontists.

Association between Genetic Polymorphisms of miR-1307, miR- 1269, miR-3117 and Breast Cancer Risk in a Sample of South East Iranian Women

INTRODUCTION

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in the susceptibility and development of cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE

Examining the dependency of breast cancer risk with genetic polymorphisms of miR-1307, miR-1269, and miR-3117 in a sample of Iranian women (southeast region).

METHODS

The case-control study consisted of 520 individuals (260 diagnosed BC patients, 260 healthy individuals). The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used for genotyping of miR-1307 rs7911488, miR-1269 rs73239138, and miR-3117 (rs4655646 and rs7512692) polymorphisms.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

This study provided evidence that miR-1307 rs7911488 polymorphism significantly reduced the risk of BC in heterozygous AG genotype, as well as dominant (AG+GG) genotype and G allele. A significant correlation was found between dominant (AA+AG) genotype, the A allele and protection against BC due to miR-1269 rs73239138 in the sample of study. In contrast, our findings suggested that AG genotype and G allele of miR-3117 rs4655646 polymorphism could increase BC's susceptibility among the southeastern Iranian females. The miR-3117 rs7512692 variant also increased the risk of BC in codominant, dominant and recessive models, as well as the T allele. The possible dependency of miR-1307, miR-1269, and miR-3117 variants with patients' clinicopathological characteristics and BC was also studied. It was concluded that there is a correlation between miR-3117 rs7512692 variant and tumor grade (p=0.031); also, a correlation between miR-1269 rs73239138 variant and progesterone receptor status (p=0.006). The current investigation revealed that miR-1307, miR-1269, and miR-3117 polymorphisms might play a crucial role in the Iranian population's vulnerability to BC.<br />.

Association of Genetic Polymorphisms of GREM1 Gene with Susceptibility to Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip with or without Cleft Palate in an Iranian Population

Background: Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is common congenital birth anomaly with multifactorial etiology. The GREM1 gene has been proposed to play a role in oral clefts development.Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between GREM1 polymorphisms and the risk of NSCL/P in an Iranian population.Methods: Genotyping of rs7162202, rs12915554, rs3743105, rs1129456, and rs10318 polymorphisms of GREM1 gene in 150 NSCL/P and 152 healthy subjects was determined by the PCR-RFLP or T-ARMS-PCR.Results: The findings showed that the rs12915554 variant significantly increased the risk of NSCL/P in heterozygous (OR = 4.20, 95%CI = 2.46-7.11, p < 0.0001, AC vs AA), and allele (OR = 3.17, 95%CI = 2.00-5.08, p < 0.0001, C vs A) genetic models. The rs3743105 polymorphism was correlated with reduced risk of NSCL/P in heterozygous (OR = 0.49, 95%CI = 0.29-0.83, p = 0.008, AG vs GG) and dominant (OR = 0.54, 95%CI = 0.33-0.89, p = 0.018, GA + AA vs GG) genetic models. The rs1129456 variant was positively associated with the risk of NSCL/P in heterozygous (OR = 2.91, 95%CI = 1.12-7.38, p = 0.028, AT vs AA) and allele (OR = 2.80, 95%CI = 2.80-6.95, p = 0.031, T vs C). The rs10318 polymorphism significantly reduced NSCL/P risk in homozygous (OR = 0.20, 95%CI = 0.06-0.67, p = 0.013, TT vs CC), dominant (OR = 0.57, 95%CI = 0.36-0.91, p = 0.019, CT + CC vs CC), recessive (OR = 0.24, 95%CI = 0.07-0.76, p = 0.031, TT vs CT + CC), and allele (OR = 0.57, 95%CI = 0.38-0.84, p = 0.005, T vs C). No correlation was observed between rs7162202 polymorphism and NSCL/P.Conclusion: The findings support that GREM1 polymorphisms are involved in NSCL/P susceptibility in an Iranian population.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in TPM1 rs11071720, rs3803499, rs12148828, and rs1972041 with the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in a sample of the Iranian population, a preliminary report

Several lines of evidence support an association between tropomyosin 1 (TPM1) and the risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P). The present study aimed to investigate the association between TPM1 polymorphisms and the risk of NSCL/P in an Iranian population. This case-control was done on 105 NSCL/P patients and 110 unrelated healthy controls. TPM1 rs11071720, rs3803499, rs12148828, and rs1972041 polymorphisms were genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The finding showed that rs11071720 polymorphism significantly increased the risk of NSCL/P in homozygous codominant (odds ratio [OR] = 2.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.14-5.69, p = 0.023, TT vs. CC), recessive (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.06-5.18, p = 0.021, TT vs. CT + CC), and allele (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.02-2.30, p = 0.030, T vs. C). The rs12148828 polymorphism was associated with protection against NSCL/P in codominant (OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.15-0.48, p < 0.001, TC vs. TT) and allele (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.22-0.64, p < 0.001, C vs. T). Regarding rs3803499, the findings proposed that this polymorphism significantly increased the risk of NSCL/P in codominant (OR = 3.86, 95% CI = 1.19-12.56, p = 0.025, CC vs. TT) and recessive (OR = 3.74, 95% CI = 1.09-14.15, p = 0.018, CC vs. CT + TT). No significant association was practical between rs1972041 polymorphism and NSCL/P. In conclusion, the findings proposed that TPM1 polymorphisms may contribute to the etiology of NSCL/P in a sample of the Iranian population.

Network-based identification of critical regulators as putative drivers of human cleft lip

BACKGROUND

Cleft lip (CL) is one of the most common congenital birth defects with complex etiology. While genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have made significant advances in our understanding of mutations and their related genes with potential involvement in the etiology of CL, it remains unknown how these genes are functionally regulated and interact with each other in lip development. Currently, identifying the disease-causing genes in human CL is urgently needed. So far, the causative CL genes have been largely undiscovered, making it challenging to design experiments to validate the functional influence of the mutations identified from large genomic studies such as CL GWAS.

RESULTS

Transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are two important regulators in cellular system. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic interactions among TFs, miRNAs and the CL genes curated from the previous studies. We constructed miRNA-TF co-regulatory networks, from which the critical regulators as putative drivers in CL were examined. Based on the constructed networks, we identified ten critical hub genes with prior evidence in CL. Furthermore, the analysis of partitioned regulatory modules highlighted a number of biological processes involved in the pathology of CL, including a novel pathway "Signaling pathway regulating pluripotency of stem cells". Our subnetwork analysis pinpointed two candidate miRNAs, hsa-mir-27b and hsa-mir-497, activating the Wnt pathway that was associated with CL. Our results were supported by an independent gene expression dataset in CL.

CONCLUSIONS

This study represents the first regulatory network analysis of CL genes. Our work presents a global view of the CL regulatory network and a novel approach on investigating critical miRNAs, TFs and genes via combinatory regulatory networks in craniofacial development. The top genes and miRNAs will be important candidates for future experimental validation of their functions in CL.

Association of the WNT3 polymorphisms and non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate: evidence from a meta-analysis

Objective: This meta-analysis was conducted with the aim of investigating the association between WNT3 gene polymorphisms and non-syndromic cleft lip (CL) with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) predisposition. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in six online databases including PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Science, CENTRAL, CNKI, and Wanfang from inception up to June 2018 without language restriction. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated under allele model of inheritance to indicate the association between WNT3 polymorphisms and NSCL/P. Risk of bias was assessed through the Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS). Predetermined stratified and sensitivity analyses were performed using the RevMan 5.3 software, publication bias were evaluated by Egger’s and Begg’s tests. Results: Seven case–control studies comprising 1617 NSCL/P patients and 2143 healthy controls were identified and included in the present study, a total of eight loci were investigated in the present study: rs3809857 was significantly associated with NSCL/P vulnerability (G compared with T, OR = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.15–1.56, P=0.0001), a significant association between rs9890413 polymorphism and NSCL/P susceptibility (A compared with G, OR = 1.25, 95%CI: 1.06–1.47, P=0.007) was detected as well. Since only few studies reported detailed data about the association between rs142167, rs7207916, rs199498, rs111769, rs12452064, rs11653738, and NSCL/P risk, these results were not combined using meta-analysis. Conclusion: Based on the findings of our current study, the rs3809857 and rs9890413 polymorphisms of WNT3 appeared to be associated with NSCL/P. Limited evidence is found to support the association between other WNT3 polymorphisms and risk of NSCL/P.