Association of GEMIN4 gene polymorphism and the risk of cancer: a meta-analysis

GEMIN4 Variants: Risk Profiling, Bioinformatics, and Dynamic Simulations Uncover Susceptibility to Bladder Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The relationship between GEMIN4 genetic variants and cancer, especially bladder carcinoma (BLCA), has been explored without conclusive results. This study aims to elucidate the link between GEMIN4 polymorphisms and BLCA susceptibility through genetic analyses, bioinformatics, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

METHODS

A cohort of 249 participants (121 BLCA patients and 128 unrelated controls) was enrolled. PCR was employed for allelic discrimination of GEMIN4 variants, followed by subgroup stratification, haplotype analyses, structural prediction using the AlphaFold2 prediction tool, subsequent MD simulations, structural analysis, and residue interaction mapping using Desmond, UCSF ChimeraX, and Cytoscape softwares.

RESULTS

The rs.2740348*G variant demonstrated a protective role against BLCA in allelic (OR = 0.55, p = 0.002) and recessive (OR = 0.54, p = 0.017) models, whereas the rs.7813*T variant increased BLCA risk under the recessive model (OR = 1.90, p = 0.019). Haplotype analysis revealed a significant association between GEMIN4 haplotype (rs.2740348*C/rs.7813*T) with increased BLCA risk (OR = 2.01, p = 0.004). Univariate analysis revealed associations of the variants with albumin levels and absolute neutrophil count in BLCA patients. Pathogenicity evaluation categorized p.Gln450Glu as neutral and p.Arg1033Cys as deleterious. MD simulations revealed structural alterations and conformational shifts in the GEMIN4 protein induced by the Glu450 and Cys1033 mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights the dual role of GEMIN4 variants in BLCA susceptibility, with rs.2740348 conferring protection and rs.7813 increasing risk. The Glu450 residue positively impacted protein stability, while Cys1033 had a detrimental effect on protein function. These findings underscore the significance of GEMIN4 variants in BLCA susceptibility and pave the way for future diagnostic and therapeutic initiatives.

A case–control study of single-nucleotide variants in microRNA biogenesis genes (AGO1 and GEMIN4) in people with primary immune thrombocytopenia

Background

The role of microRNA (miRNA) is to regulate the translation of genes involved in a variety of diseases.

Aim of the work

This study investigated the relation between the rs636832 and rs2740348 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the AGO1 gene and the GEMIN4 gene of miRNA biogenesis genes and the risk for primary ITP and the response to therapy.

Patients and methods

In this case–control study, 100 patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura from the clinical hematology department and outpatient clinic were compared to 100 control subjects. Patients' blood samples are taken, and DNA extraction and PCR amplification of rs636832 A/G of AGO1 and rs2740348 G/C of GEMIN4 were done on sera and compared to the clinical status of the patients.

Results

According to statistical analysis, the genotype and allele frequencies of both variants did not differ significantly between cases and controls. The GG genotype was found to be more prevalent in the chronic phase of ITP than the AA and AG genotypes, with a significance level of p 0.05. The GG genotype was found to be more prevalent in the chronic phase of ITP than the AA and AG genotypes, with a significance level of p 0.05. In addition, the GG genotype was more prevalent in ITP patients who did not respond to treatment compared to the AA and AG genotypes, although this difference was not statistically significant. Concerning rs2740348: the CC genotype was more common than the GC genotype in ITP cases that did not respond to treatment and needed a second line of therapy like splenectomy or TPO-RA, but this did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

The rs636832 and rs2740348 SNPs did not appear to be risk factors for ITP; however, the rs636832:GG genotype was more prevalent in older patients, who tend to have the chronic phase of the disease. Although this distinction was not statistically significant, they were less responsive to therapy than the AA and AG genotypes. Concerning rs2740348: the CC genotype was more common than the GC genotype in ITP cases that did not respond to treatment and needed a second line of therapy like splenectomy or TPO-RA, but this did not reach statistical significance.

Association of GEMIN4 gene polymorphisms with the risk of colorectal cancer in the Polish population

<br><b>Aim:</b> Gem-associated protein 4 (GEMIN4), a member of the GEMIN gene family, is a key compound of the regulating factors responsible for miRNA biogenesis. Genetic variability within this gene can alter the risk for development of colorectal cancer (CRC) as was shown for other genes involved in miRNA biogenesis. Therefore, presented study was intended to identify genetic variants of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GEMIN4 gene (rs1062923, rs2740348 and rs910925) and their relationship with CRC.</br> <br><b>Methods:</b> The study comprised 203 patients and 179 age and sex matched controls. Genotyping of GEMIN4 gene variants was done using Taqman® assay. The association of GEMIN4 variants with CRC was done by odds ratio analysis. Haplotype analysis was done to see the combined effect of studied variants on CRC.</br> <br><b>Results:</b> Patients carrying all variant genotypes for GEMIN4 rs1062923 (odds ratio [OR]= 0.205; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.1034–0.4065 for CC variant and [OR] = 0.1436; [CI] = 0.0869–0.2373 for CT variant, respectively) and GEMIN4 rs2740348 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.4498; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.2342–0.8637 for CC variant and [OR] = 0.3986; [CI] = 0.2043–0.7776 for CG variant, respectively) showed significant association in lower occurrence of cancer, whereas in case of GEMIN4 G/C rs910925 variant genotype, no significance correlation was found.</br> <br><b>Conclusion:</b> Our study gives a substantive support for the association between the GEMIN4 gene variants/miRNA biogenesis and CRC risk.</br>