Genetic association of polymorphisms in AXIN1 gene with clear cell renal cell carcinoma in a Chinese population

Investigating AXIN1 gene polymorphisms in Turkish children with cryptorchidism: A pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Cryptorchidism is one of the most common congenital anomalies in male children, occurring in 2-5% of full-term male infants. Both genetic and environmental factors are observed to play a role in its etiology. A study conducted in Japan identified the AXIN1 gene as being associated with cryptorchidism.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to conduct a pilot study on AXIN1 gene polymorphism in Turkish children with cryptorchidism, and whether AXIN1 gene polymorphism is a risk factor for cryptorchidism.

STUDY DESIGN

Between January 2023 and December 2023, we have planned a prospective controlled study including 84 boys operated for cryptorchidism as study group, and 96 boys operated for circumcision as control group. The remaining blood samples of preoperative laboratory tests in ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes were kept at -20 Co freezer for genomic studies. Patient demographics, physical examination and operative findings were recorded, study patients were grouped according to testis localization. After collecting all samples, genomic DNA isolation procedure was done, and analysis of the 3 polymorphisms (rs12921862, rs1805105 and rs370681) of AXIN1 gene was performed using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Genotype and allele frequencies of each group was analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

The most common location of cryptorchid testis was proximal inguinal (53%), followed by distal inguinal (25.3%), bilateral (13.3%), and intra-abdominal (8.4%). Regarding the 3 polymorphisms of AXIN1 gene, there was no significant difference between study and control groups, in terms of genotype and allele frequencies (P > 0.05). Eight haplotype blocks were estimated for 3 polymorphisms of AXIN1. However, no significant difference was observed between study and control groups regarding haplotype distributions (P > 0.05). In addition, the comparison of the localization of testis with AXIN1 gene polymorphism did not show any significant difference among cryptorchid testis groups (P > 0.05).

DISCUSSION

The AXIN1 gene is located on chromosome 16p and its polymorphisms have been associated with various diseases. In a Chinese study, the rs370681 polymorphism was found to be associated with cryptorchidism. However, our results showed no association between the AXIN1 gene haplotypes for the studied polymorphisms and cryptorchidism.

CONCLUSION

In this study we have investigated the AXIN1 gene polymorphism in Turkish children with cryptorchidism as a pilot study. Although we could not identify any difference as compared to control group, further research is necessary to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to the development of cryptorchidism.

Association of AXIN1 rs12921862 C/A and rs1805105 G/A and CTSB rs12898 G/A polymorphisms with papillary thyroid carcinoma: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer which its precise etiology remains unknown. However, environmental and genetic factors contribute to the etiology of PTC. Axis inhibition protein 1 (Axin1) is a scaffold protein that exerts its role as a tumor suppressor. In addition, Cathepsin B (Ctsb) is a cysteine protease with higher expression in several types of tumors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible association of AXIN1 rs12921862 C/A and rs1805105 G/A and CTSB rs12898 G/A polymorphisms with PTC susceptibility.

MATERIALS & METHODS

In total, 156 PTC patients and 158 sex-, age-, and BMI-matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. AXIN1 rs12921862 C/A and rs1805105 G/A and CTSB rs12898 G/A polymorphisms were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTS

There was a relationship between AXIN1 rs12921862 C/A polymorphism and an increased risk of PTC in all genetic models except the overdominant model. The AXIN1 rs1805105 G/A polymorphism was associated with an increased PTC risk only in codominant and overdominant models. The frequency of AXIN1 A_rs12921862 A_rs1805105 haplotype was higher in the PTC group and also this haplotype was associated with an increased risk of PTC. Moreover, the AXIN1 rs12921862 C/A polymorphism was not associated with PTC clinical and pathological findings, but AXIN1 rs1805105 G/A polymorphism was associated with almost three folds of larger tumor size (≥1 cm). There was no association between CTSB rs12898 G/A polymorphism and PTC and its findings.

CONCLUSION

The AXIN1 rs12921862 C/A and rs1805105 G/A polymorphisms were associated with PTC. AXIN1 rs1805105 G/A polymorphism was associated with higher tumor size.

Significant Associations between AXIN1 rs1805105, rs12921862, rs370681 Haplotypes and Variant Genotypes of AXIN2 rs2240308 with Risk of Congenital Heart Defects

This study aimed to investigate possible associations of the susceptibility to congenital heart defects (CHDs) with AXIN1 rs1805105, rs12921862 and rs370681 gene variants and haplotypes, and AXIN2 rs2240308 gene variant. Significant associations were identified for AXIN1 rs370681 and AXIN2 rs2240308 variants. AXIN1 rs370681 variant was significantly associated with decreased odds of CHDs (adjusted OR varying from 0.13 to 0.28 in codominant, dominant and recessive gene models), while the AXIN2 rs2240308 variant was associated with increased odds of CHD in the dominant model. The haplotype-based generalized linear model regression of AXIN1 rs1805105, rs12921862 and rs370681 variants revealed that C-C-C and C-C-T haplotypes significantly increased the risk of CHDs (p < 0.05). No significant second order epistatic interactions were found between investigated variants (AXIN1 rs1805105, rs12921862, rs370681, and AXIN2 rs2240308). Our conclusion is that AXIN1 rs1805105, rs12921862, and rs370681 (C-C-C and C-C-T) haplotypes and AXIN2 rs2240308 contribute to CHDs susceptibility.

Association between AXIN1 Gene Polymorphisms and Bladder Cancer in Chinese Han Population

Background

Previous evidence has indicated that the reduction of axis inhibition protein 1 (AXIN1) expression is related with the poor differentiation of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the potential association between AXIN1 and bladder cancer (BC) is unknown. We aimed to initially explore the relevance of AXIN1 gene polymorphisms (rs12921862 C/A, rs1805105 T/C, and rs370681 C/T) and BC.

Methods

Three hundred and sixteen BC patients and 419 healthy controls had been enrolled. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used for genotyping three tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of AXIN1. The SNPstats online analysis software and SPSS software were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Our data revealed that three tag SNPs were associated with an increased risk of BC (rs12921862: P < 0.001, OR (95%CI) = 4.61 (3.13-6.81); rs1805105: P = 0.046, OR (95%CI) = 1.35 (1.00-1.82); and rs370681: P = 0.004, OR (95%CI) = 1.56 (1.15-2.10)). For rs12921862, A allele was an independently protective factor which correlated with a better prognosis in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients (P = 0.03, OR (95%CI) = 0.10 (0.01-0.84)). Stratification analysis demonstrated that rs370681 polymorphism was related with high-grade bladder cancer (P = 0.04, OR (95%CI) = 1.85 (1.04-3.23)).

Conclusion

The AXIN1 gene polymorphisms might implicate in BC risk, and rs12921862 could be a potential forecasting factor for prognosis of BC patients.

Association between AXIN1 gene polymorphisms and epithelial ovarian cancer in Chinese population

Aim: The study was aimed to explore the association between AXIN1 gene polymorphism and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) susceptibility as well as prognosis. Methods: A total of 165 EOC cases and 327 healthy controls were recruited to participate in this study. In total three tag SNPs in AXIN1 gene were genotyped using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Significantly increased EOC risk was found associated with the A/C heterozygous genotype of rs12921862, the C allele and C/T genotype in the rs1805105 and the T/T genotype of rs370681. Meanwhile, Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that patients with rs12921862 C/C genotype improved overall survival in the EOC group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the AXIN1 gene may be related to susceptibility and overall survival in EOC.

Down-regulation of microRNA-31-5p inhibits proliferation and invasion of osteosarcoma cells through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by enhancing AXIN1

OBJECTIVES

Recently, the role of microRNA-31-5p (miR-31-5p) in gene expression regulation has been reported in various cancers. Studies have shown that Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in the proliferation and invasion of osteosarcoma (OS) cells. Therefore, this study aims to probe into the regulatory role of miR-31-5p targeting AXIN1 in OS cells through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

METHODS

Firstly, microarray expression profiles were used to screen differentially expressed miRNAs associated with OS. Next, OS and normal fibrous connective tissues as well as OS cell lines were obtained for investigating the role of miR-31-5p on OS. Then, the putative binding sites between miR-31-5p and AXIN1 were predicted and verified. The regulatory effects of miR-31-5p on proliferation and invasion as well as tumorigenic potential of OS cells targeting AXIN1 were also analyzed. Besides, the relationship between miR-31-5p and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was assessed by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

The microarray dataset GSE63939 showed that miR-31-5p and AXIN1 were involved in OS. miR-31-5p expression increased while the expression of AXIN1 decreased in OS tissues and cells. AXIN1 was identified as a target gene of miR-31-5p, intense expression of which inhibited the transcription of AXIN1. Down-regulated miR-31-5p suppressed proliferation, invasion and tumorigenicity of OS cells through promoting AXIN1. Decreased miR-31-5p activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, as reflected by increased β-catenin translocation into nuclei, through up-regulating the transcription of AXIN1.

CONCLUSIONS

All in all, repression of miR-31-5p targets AXIN1 to activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thus suppressing proliferation, invasion and tumorigenicity of OS cells.

Association Between AXIN1 Gene Polymorphisms and Dilated Cardiomyopathy in a Chinese Han Population

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common type of cardiomyopathy. The pathogenesis of DCM remains unclear and involves varied genes. AXIN1 is a crucial gene in regulating various functions in cells, it encodes protein Axin1, which regulates the assembly and disassembly of β-catenin destruction complex. In addition, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in cardiogenesis. We aimed to detect whether AXIN1 polymorphisms contribute to the susceptibility and prognosis of DCM in a Chinese Han population. A total of 340 DCM patients and 430 controls were enrolled, and patients who had complete contact information were followed up for a median period of 49 months. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was carried out to genotype the two AXIN1 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs12921862 and rs1805105). All data were analyzed using the statistical software package, SPSS 21.0. The frequencies of allele A in rs12921862 and allele C in rs1805015 were increased in DCM patients compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001). Genotypic frequencies of rs12921862 and rs1805105 were associated with the susceptibility of DCM in codominant, dominant, and overdominant models (p < 0.01). AA/AC and AC genotypes of rs12921862 in the dominant and the overdominant genetic models also presented a correlation with poor prognosis of DCM in both univariate (p < 0.01) and multivariate analyses (p < 0.01) after adjusting for age, gender, left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter, and LV ejection fraction. Our results suggest that AXIN1 polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility and prognosis of DCM in a Chinese Han population.