GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism in astrocytomas and glioblastomas

Glutathione S-transferase genes variants and glioma risk: A case-control and meta-analysis study

Background: The glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes encode enzymes that metabolize carcinogenic compounds, and their variants, GSTP1 (Ile105Val and Ala114Val), GSTT1 (null/present), and GSTM1 (null/present), reduce enzyme activity that may affect the risk of developing cerebral glioma. This study undertook a case-control study and a meta-analysis to evaluate associations between these GST gene variants and the risk of glioma. Methods: The study enrolled 384 glioma patients (194 men and 190 women; mean age, 48.3 ± 9.2 years) and 340 healthy controls (174 men and 166 women; mean age, 46.5 ± 9.8 years). The amplification refractory mutation system assay was performed to identify GST gene variants of all 724 subjects. A meta-analysis enrolled 15 studies (including our case-control results) was performed. Results: Our case-control study found that the frequency of GSTP1 Ile105Val Val/Val genotype was significantly higher in the glioma group than that in the healthy controls (11.7% vs. 6.4%) (OR=1.50; 95% CI=1.05-2.04; P=0.01); the frequency of the Val/Ile + Ile/Ile genotypes was different from glioma patients and controls (88.3% vs. 93.6%) (OR=1.47(1.04-2.10); P=0.015); there were no associations between GSTP1 Ala114Val, GSTT1 (null/present) and GSTM1 (null/present) variants and glioma risk. Our meta-analysis confirmed that the GSTP1 Ile105Val variant was associated with an overall increased glioma risk. Moreover, our meta-analysis also confirmed the GSTP1 Ala114Val and GSTT1 null/present variants were associated with an increased glioma risk in the Caucasian population, rather than the Asian population. Conclusions: This study showed that GST gene variants were associated with an increased risk of glioma with ethnic differences. Future large-scale, multi center, controlled, prospective studies are required to support these findings and to determine how these GST gene variants may affect the pathogenesis of glioma.

Genetic Contribution of Polymorphisms in Glutathione S-Transferases to Brain Tumor Risk

Existing data have shown a major effect of glutathione S-transferase (GST) single-nucleotide polymorphisms on activities of detoxification-related enzymes, and it is the functional importance that leads to extensive research on the association of GST polymorphisms with the risk of developing brain tumor. Previously reported associations, nevertheless, remain inconsistent. This study aimed to reevaluate the association with new information from recent research articles. We weekly searched multiple databases, aiming to cover all studies looking at the associations being examined in this work. Eligibility of studies was evaluated based on predesigned inclusion criteria. To assess the association of GST polymorphisms with brain tumor risk, we calculated genotypic ORs by comparing the number of genotypes between cases and controls. We also detected interstudy heterogeneity, publication bias, and single studies' influence. A total of 13 research articles were identified through databases and hand search. We found significantly elevated risk of brain tumor associated with GSTT1 null status in individuals of European ethnicity (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.12-1.92). In the analysis of GSTP1 I105V, we observed that Val/Val genotype compared to the Ile/Ile genotype was more prone to a reduced brain tumor risk (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.64-0.93). Such major effects were similarly seen for GSTP1 A114V (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.29 for Val/Val + Ala/Val vs. Ala/Ala). When data were limited to glioma, we found a significant elevation associated with the combination of Val/Val and Ala/Val genotypes (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01-1.37). However, no clear association was detected between other polymorphisms investigated and glioma. These statistical data suggest that some of the polymorphisms at GST loci are possibly associated with the genetic risk of brain tumor.

Genetic association of CHEK2, GSTP1, and ERCC1 with glioblastoma in the Han Chinese population

Glioblastoma (GBM), a deadly brain tumor, is the most malignant glioma. It mainly occurs in adults and occurs significantly more in males than in females. We genotyped 19 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) from 13 genes in a case-control study of the Han Chinese population to identify genetic factors contributing to the risk of GBM. These tSNPs were genotyped by Sequenom MassARRAY RS1000. Statistical analysis was performed using χ(2) test and SNPStats, a website software. Using χ(2) test, we found that the distribution of two tSNPs (rs2267130 in checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2), p = 0.040; rs1695 in GSTP1, p = 0.023) allelic frequencies had significant difference between cases and controls. When we analyzed all of the tSNPs using the SNPStats software, we found that rs1695 in GSTP1 decreased the risk of GBM in log-additive model (OR = 0.56, 95% CI, 0.34-0.94, p = 0.022). Besides, we found that there is an interaction between rs3212986 in excision repair cross-complementing group 1 (ERCC1) and gender under codominant and recessive models. The gene polymorphisms in CHEK2, GSTP1, and ERCC1 may be involved in GBM in the Han Chinese population. Since our sample size is small, further investigation needs to be performed.

The Upper Midwest Health Study: gliomas and occupational exposure to chlorinated solvents

OBJECTIVES

Occupational exposure to chlorinated aliphatic solvents has been associated with an increased cancer risk, including brain cancer. However, many of these solvents remain in active, large-volume use. We evaluated glioma risk from non-farm occupational exposure (ever/never and estimated cumulative exposure) to any of the six chlorinated solvents--carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene or 1,1,1--trichloroethane-among 798 cases and 1175 population-based controls, aged 18-80 years and non-metropolitan residents of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Methods Solvent use was estimated based on occupation, industry and era, using a bibliographic database of published exposure levels and exposure determinants. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate ORs adjusted for frequency matching variables age group and sex, and age and education. Additional analyses were limited to 904 participants who donated blood specimens (excluding controls reporting a previous diagnosis of cancer) genotyped for glutathione-S-transferases GSTP1, GSTM3 and GSTT1. Individuals with functional GST genes might convert chlorinated solvents crossing the blood-brain barrier into cytotoxic metabolites.

RESULTS

Both estimated cumulative exposure (ppm-years) and ever exposure to chlorinated solvents were associated with decreased glioma risk and were statistically significant overall and for women. In analyses comparing participants with a high probability of exposure with the unexposed, no associations were statistically significant. Solvent-exposed participants with functional GST genes were not at increased risk of glioma.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed no associations of glioma risk and chlorinated solvent exposure. Large pooled studies are needed to explore the interaction of genetic pathways and environmental and occupational exposures in glioma aetiology.

Glutathione S-transferase M1, T1, and P1 polymorphisms and risk of glioma: a meta-analysis

The relationship between genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the development of glioma has been investigated in several epidemiologic studies. However these studies report inconsistent results. In order to quantitatively summarise the evidence for such a relationship, a meta-analysis is conducted. The PubMed database was searched from inception to January 2012 to identify relevant studies that met pre-stated inclusion criteria. We also reviewed reference lists from retrieved articles. Two researchers evaluated study eligibility and extracted the data independently, and disagreements were resolved by discussion. The principal outcome measure was the odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) for the risk of glioma associated with GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 I105V or GSTP1 A114V. This meta-analysis included 11 case-control studies, which included 2,404 glioma cases and 6,379 controls. The combined results based on all studies showed that there was no association between any of the GST variants and the risk of glioma (for GSTM1: pooled OR = 1.03; 95 % CI, 0.92-1.15; for GSTT1: pooled OR = 1.12; 95 % CI, 0.90-1.40; for GSTP1 I105V: pooled OR = 0.92; 95 % CI, 0.64-1.31 and for GSTP1 A114V: pooled OR = 1.14; 95 % CI, 0.97-1.34). Subgroup analyses showed that GSTP1 A114V genotype was associated with an increased risk of other histopathologic glioma except glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (pooled OR = 1.30; 95 % CI = 1.06-1.60); no relationship was found between other GST variants and histopathologic groups. In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggests no association between GST variants and the risk of glioma. However, the significant risk elevation is present between GSTP1 A114V genotype and other histopathologic glioma except GBM.

Use of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue as a DNA source in molecular epidemiological studies of pediatric CNS tumors

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPET) samples are a potential source of DNA for molecular epidemiological studies. However, the use of FFPET samples can be restricted by the yield and quality of DNA isolated. The aim of this study was to examine whether FFPET biopsies from pediatric central nervous system tumors were a feasible alternative to archival frozen tissue when characterizing common gene polymorphisms. DNA was isolated from 50 frozen pediatric central nervous system tumor biopsies and matched FFPET samples. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to quantify DNA and characterize GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1, and MTHFR gene polymorphisms. The use of whole-genome amplification (WGA) to increase DNA yields was also investigated. The results showed that DNA isolated from FFPET samples was more fragmented and provided smaller yields than DNA isolated from frozen samples. Attempts to increase the DNA yield from FFPET using WGA were unsuccessful. DNA from FFPET samples was successfully genotyped for the GSTP1 Ile105Val and MTHFR 677 C>T polymorphisms in 98% of samples and was 100% concordant with the results from frozen tissue. However, DNA from FFPET performed poorly in real-time PCR assays for GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion polymorphisms. Our investigations show that DNA extracted from FFPET is substantially fragmented and not readily amplified using WGA. In addition, careful validation of PCR assays should be carried out due to the variable amplification of fragmented FFPET DNA.

Lack of association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and brain tumour risk

OBJECTIVE

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are important enzymes that are involved in detoxification of environmental carcinogens. Molecular epidemiological studies have been conducted to investigate the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 homozygous deletion polymorphisms and brain tumours but results have been conflicting. The aim of this study was to clarify this problem using a meta-analysis.

METHODS

A total of 9 records were identified by searching the PubMed and Embase databases. Fixed- and random-effects models were performed to estimate the pooled odds ratios.

RESULTS

No significant association was found between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 homozygous deletion polymorphisms and risk of brain tumours, including glioma and meningioma. Similar negative results were also observed in both population-based and hospital-based studies.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that the GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms may not be related to the development of brain tumours.

CYBA and GSTP1 variants associate with oxidative stress under hypobaric hypoxia as observed in high-altitude pulmonary oedema

HAPE (high-altitude pulmonary oedema) is characterized by pulmonary hypertension, vasoconstriction and an imbalance in oxygen-sensing redox switches. Excess ROS (reactive oxygen species) contribute to endothelial damage under hypobaric hypoxia, hence the oxidative-stress-related genes CYBA (cytochrome b-245 α polypeptide) and GSTP1 (glutathione transferase Pi 1) are potential candidate genes for HAPE. In the present study, we investigated the polymorphisms -930A/G and H72Y (C/T) of CYBA and I105V (A/G) and A114V (C/T) of GSTP1, individually and in combination, in 150 HAPE-p (HAPE patients), 180 HAPE-r (HAPE-resistant lowland natives) and 180 HLs (healthy highland natives). 8-Iso-PGF2α (8-iso-prostaglandin F2α) levels were determined in plasma and were correlated with individual alleles, genotype, haplotype and gene-gene interactions. The relative expression of CYBA and GSTP1 were determined in peripheral blood leucocytes. The genotype distribution of -930A/G, H72Y (C/T) and I105V (A/G) differed significantly in HAPE-p compared with HAPE-r and HLs (P≤0.01). The haplotypes G-C of -930A/G and H72Y (C/T) in CYBA and G-C and G-T of I105V (A/G) and A114V (C/T) in GSTP1 were over-represented in HAPE-p; in contrast, haplotypes A-T of -930A/G and H72Y (C/T) in CYBA and A-C of I105V (A/G) and A114V (C/T) in GSTP1 were over-represented in HAPE-r and HLs. 8-Iso-PGF2α levels were significantly higher in HAPE-p and in HLs than in HAPE-r (P=2.2×10(-16) and 1.2×10(-14) respectively) and the expression of CYBA and GSTP1 varied differentially (P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that the risk alleles G, C, G and T of -930A/G, H72Y (C/T), I105V (A/G) and A114V (C/T) were associated with increased 8-iso-PGF2α levels (P<0.05). Interaction between the two genes revealed over-representation of most of the risk-allele-associated genotype combinations in HAPE-p and protective-allele-associated genotype combinations in HLs. In conclusion, the risk alleles of CYBA and GSTP1, their haplotypes and gene-gene interactions are associated with imbalanced oxidative stress and, thereby, with high-altitude adaptation and mal-adaptation.