Eukaryotic Release Factor 3 and Risk of Breast Cancer

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Student, Department of Biology, School of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Biology, School of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Eukaryotic release factor 3 (eRF3) is known as a polypeptide chain releasing factor in the translation process. It is necessary for G1 to S phase transition (GSPT1). Recent studies have demonstrated that this protein may have a potential role in development of cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the tri-nucleotide polymorphism (GGC) in eRF3a/GSPT1 exon 1 gene and to identify its association with risk of breast cancer in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This study was conducted on 250 women with breast cancer and 250 healthy women. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Finally, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to detect GGC polymorphism. Findings: Four alleles including 7, 10, 11 and 12 repetitions of GGC were found. GGC10 was the most common allele between patients and controls. Women who carried GGC12 allele (odds ratio = 2.9068, confidence interval = 1.0308-8.0196) and those who are homozygous for GGC7 (odds ratio = 5.0816, confidence interval = 0.5894-43.8133) of eRF3a/GSPT1 gene were at significantly higher risk for developing breast cancer. Conclusion: This was the first Iranian study to identify the distribution, allelic frequency, and various genotypes of eRF3a/GSPT1 gene. We found the homozygous occurrence of the longest and the shortest allele of this gene to increase the risk for breast cancer among women in Isfahan. Keywords: Breast cancer, Eukaryotic release factor 3, Repeated sequences of GGC, Polymorphism