title: Association of an intronic polymorphism in the midkine (MK) gene with human sporadic colorectal cancer.
abstract: Midkine (MK) is a heparin-binding growth factor specified by a retinoic acid responsive gene. It plays important roles in development and carcinogenesis. The MK gene is located on chromosome 11q11.2 in humans. A heterozygous G to T transition at the 62nd base in intron 3 of this gene has been identified in sporadic colorectal and gastric cancers (Int. J. Mol. Med. 6 (2000) 281). To clarify whether this polymorphism is associated with a cancer risk, a case-control study was conducted. We examined 98 colorectal, 60 gastric, 59 esophagus, 32 lung and 37 breast cancer tissue specimens and their corresponding non-neoplastic tissues. Also, 86 unaffected control specimens were examined. The G/T genotype frequency in colorectal cancers was higher than that in normal samples (11.2 versus 2.3%; P=0.017). Therefore, this genotype could represent a risk factor for tumorigenesis in the colon and rectum of Japanese.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gunma University, Kiryu, Gunma 376-8515, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazi Mokim
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shitara
authors.forename: Seiichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takenoshita
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kuwano
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saruhashi
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shinozawa
mesh_terms: D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D016207:Cytokines; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D008297:Male; D000078792:Midkine; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; D000078792:Midkine